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Connecticut Snow Records: The Storm That Dumped 3 Feet in a Day
Hartford, CT – Connecticut has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dumping three feet of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from New Haven County to
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-10-21T12:15:04.862Z
Hartford, CT – Connecticut has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dumping three feet of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from New Haven County to the Hartford region. As winter 2026 27 approaches, those records demonstrate why even relatively mild winters can still produce dangerous snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ansonia in New Haven County recorded 36 inches of snow Feb. 9, 2013, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Connecticut county records. That same date produced significant snowfall across six of the state's eight counties.
Connecticut's Largest Single Day Snowfall Records NOAA's county level data identifies the following historical extremes. Multiple counties reporting snowfall on the same date are grouped together rather than counted as separate storms.
1. Feb. 9, 2013: Ansonia, New Haven County — 36.0 inches Same storm: Trumbull, Fairfield County — 30.0 inches Same storm: Portland, Middlesex County — 30.0 inches Same storm: Enfield, Hartford County — 27.2 inches Same storm: Staffordville, Tolland County — 27.2 inches Same storm: West Thompson Lake, Windham County — 26.0 inches 2. Feb. 10, 1969: Falls Village, Litchfield County — 30.0 inches 3. Jan. 28, 1897: New London, New London County — 25.0 inches The supplied NOAA table contains eight county records representing only three distinct snowfall dates, not 10 separate events.
Why Connecticut's Snowfall History Matters The February 2013 blizzard stands out because of its widespread intensity. Six Connecticut counties recorded their highest one day snowfall measurements during the same event, with totals ranging from 26 to 36 inches.
The storm demonstrated how powerful coastal weather systems can affect nearly the entire state, bringing heavy snow to both inland communities and areas closer to Long Island Sound.
Connecticut's location makes it particularly vulnerable to nor'easters, which can draw moisture from the Atlantic Ocean while cold air remains positioned over New England.
When these conditions align, snowfall can accumulate rapidly, creating dangerous road conditions and widespread disruptions.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the Northeast. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of powerful snowstorms.
Even during a relatively mild winter, a single coastal storm can combine abundant moisture with freezing temperatures to produce significant snowfall.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another storm comparable to February 2013. They do demonstrate that Connecticut remains vulnerable to extreme winter weather regardless of broader seasonal trends.
For residents across the state, the lesson is clear: One major storm can still deliver extraordinary snowfall, even when the rest of winter feels relatively mild.