Weather
Northeast Snowstorm: 15 Years Since Rare Nor'easter Halloween Snowfall
Philadelphia, PA – Fifteen years ago this week, a historic October snowstorm buried portions of the Northeast under more than 2 feet of snow, knocked down trees, caused widespread power outages and di
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-29T08:47:48.396Z
Philadelphia, PA – Fifteen years ago this week, a historic October snowstorm buried portions of the Northeast under more than 2 feet of snow, knocked down trees, caused widespread power outages and disrupted Halloween celebrations across multiple states.
According to the National Weather Service, the October 29 30, 2011, nor'easter produced extraordinary snowfall unusually early in the season, breaking longstanding October records from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to New York and New England.
The storm developed as a powerful coastal system encountered sufficiently cold air, producing heavy, wet snow across areas where trees still retained their autumn leaves.
The combination proved destructive, with snow covered branches collapsing and damaging electrical infrastructure.
Some of the highest reported storm totals included 32 inches in Peru, Massachusetts; 31.4 inches in Jaffrey, New Hampshire; and 30.8 inches in Plainfield, Massachusetts.
Pennsylvania experienced remarkable snowfall for October. Allentown recorded 6.8 inches on October 29, establishing a new October calendar day record, while Avoca recorded 9.1 inches.
New York City's Central Park measured 2.9 inches, also establishing an October calendar day snowfall record.
Other notable totals included 21.3 inches near Norfolk, Connecticut; 19 inches in West Milford, New Jersey; and 16 inches in Springtown, Pennsylvania.
The National Weather Service classified the event as Category 1, or "notable," on the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale. Despite that classification, the storm's unusually early timing made its consequences particularly significant.
Many communities experienced fallen trees and power outages, forcing some Halloween activities and trick or treating events to be postponed or canceled.
The National Weather Service Eastern Region highlighted the storm's 15th anniversary Thursday, October 29, 2026, emphasizing how unusual the event was even compared with historical weather records dating back to the 1800s.
The anniversary serves as a reminder that significant winter storms can strike the Northeast well before the traditional winter season begins.