The phrase “Blizzard of ’78” usually refers to two famous winter storms in the U.S., both in early 1978.

Core dates

  • Midwest / Great Lakes “Blizzard of ’78”
    • Hit the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, and parts of Indiana and surrounding states from January 25–27, 1978.
* Often called the _Great Blizzard of 1978_ or the _Cleveland Superbomb_.
  • New England / Northeast “Blizzard of ’78”
    • A separate historic nor’easter that affected New England and the Northeastern U.S. from February 5–7, 1978.
* Commonly called the _Northeastern United States blizzard of 1978_ or simply the _Blizzard of ’78_ in that region.

Which one people mean

  • In the Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, etc.), “Blizzard of ’78” usually means the January 25–27 storm.
  • In New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, etc.), it usually means the February 5–7 nor’easter.

If you share where you’re thinking of (Midwest vs New England), the exact dates for “the” Blizzard of ’78 in your area become clear.