Many countries have experienced severe snowstorms that resulted in thousands of deaths and property losses estimated in millions of dollars. Below are the worst winter storms in history:
**The Bomb Cyclone - December 2022:** Several U.S. states experienced their worst storm in 50 years, according to meteorological reports. It affected over 200 million people and caused the deaths of at least 60 individuals, with hundreds of thousands displaced to safer areas during the Christmas holiday.
**The Storm of the Century in Russia - 2018:** In early February of that year, Russia witnessed an unprecedented snowstorm not seen in half a century, with snow depths reaching unprecedented levels since records began. The storm caused school closures, which is rare since Russians are accustomed to snow, and led to the deaths of many as snow depths reached about one meter and temperatures fell to -13 degrees Celsius.
**The Afghan Snowstorm - 2008:** A snowstorm occurred in Afghanistan during a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden, where he had to land in a snowy valley and was at risk, but was saved by an Afghan translator. Afghan authorities reported over 900 fatalities due to snowstorms and frost, the severest seen in decades.
**The Storm of the Century (East U.S. and Canada) - 1993:** This storm struck the East Coast of America and Canada in early March, with snowfall covering a vast area like never before in history, stretching from East Canada to Alabama (about 26 states). The storm resulted in the deaths of around 270 Americans and broke numerous temperature record lows, with about -24 degrees Celsius recorded in Burlington, Vermont, and snow depths exceeding one meter.
**The Iranian Storm - 1972:** This is considered the deadliest storm in Iran's history, lasting five days in February, with snow depths of over 8 meters in some areas of northwest, central, and southern Iran. Temperatures dropped below -25 degrees Celsius. More than 4,000 people died during the storm, and around 200 villages were completely destroyed.
**The Eastern Canadian Snowstorm - 1971:** A massive storm from the Atlantic Ocean in March resulted in a snowstorm that swept across all of Canada, with snow depths in Montreal exceeding 45 cm and more than 60 cm in other areas. The storm generated strong winds that froze snow in the air, hindered visibility, and resulted in over 20 deaths.
**The Great Blizzard of America - 1888:** Considered the worst ever, it followed unusually rainy weather, accompanied by colder temperatures and high winds, which covered the East Coast in snow reaching 50 feet in height. This blizzard froze New York, Boston, and other major cities, leading to road closures and disruptions of telephone, electric, and railway services for several days. When the skies finally cleared, fires and floods led to losses estimated in millions of dollars, claiming the lives of more than 400 people, including 200 in New York City alone.
**The Carolinian Death March - 1719:** Norway was hit by a storm known as the Carolinian Death March, resulting in 3,000 casualties.
