Do You Remember Maine’s Pre-Valentine’s Day Blizzard of 2017?

Whatever your opinion on global warming, there is no doubt that the climate in New England is changing.

Just a few decades ago, our winters were filled with freezing temperatures and big snowstorms.  You would have to shovel your driveway so you could get to work.  Then, a few hours later, you’d need to shovel your driveway so that you could get home from work.  At the height of winter, we'd have snowbanks so tall that we could not see over them.

These days, our winters are a lot different.

Except for the occasional big snowstorm, our winters have been very mild.  Yes, we still have storms, but they are not real snowstorms.  Instead, these storms bring sleet, freezing rain, and wind.

One of the last truly massive storms that Maine got was in February of 2017.

Just before Valentine’s Day that year, much of New England was slammed by an enormous storm.

That storm practically shut down the entire state.  Many areas in southern and central Maine reported blizzard conditions, the speed limit on I-95 was lowered to 45 MPH, and people were asked to stay off the roads.  Maine state offices were closed, flights from most Maine airports were grounded, and Bath Iron Works told all non-essential employees to stay home.  In most places, the streets were empty.

It was a wicked wild storm!

According to the Portland Press Herald, the storm had started on the evening of Sunday, February 12, and it continued throughout Monday, February 13.

When it was all over, some parts of Maine had gotten nearly three feet of snow.  Augusta got hit with 24” of snow and Waterville picked up just over 23” of fresh powder.

Orono recorded 28” of new snowfall, and Houlton got about 30” of snow.

Jonesboro recorded the highest amount of snowfall in the state.  The Washington County town recorded a full three feet of snow.

Even before we were done cleaning up from that storm, we got word that another storm was on the way.  That storm, which was supposed to hit the state on February 15, was expected to bring almost a foot to much of Maine.

Clearly, the best Valentine's Day gift you could get your special someone in 2017 was a shovel.