Today in History: The Great Blizzard of 1899 Draped many parts of the U.S. with Snow

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February 12, 1899, might be a long time ago but it has definitely left its mark in US history. It was the day the Great Blizzard of 1899, also known as the Great Arctic Outbreak, affected most of the United States, particularly east of the Rocky Mountains. 

Snow began falling the night before, on the 11th,  and by the next day, on the 12th, many areas of the United States found themselves bejeweled in mountains of white. New Jersey received an unprecedented 34 inches of snow! 

The Great Arctic Outbreak didn’t only bring snow to the nation, It brought frigid weather to go with it.  Astonishingly low temperatures were recorded in the North and South of the US. In Fort Logan, Montana, the temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling -60 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Over 100 people were estimated to have lost their lives during the Great Arctic Outbreak.