The Blizzard of 1996 paralyzed the U.S. East Coast with up to four feet (1.2 m) of wind-driven snow over a three-day period from January 6-8 in 1996.

Over 30 inches (75 cm) of snow fell in Philadelphia, the most of any major city in the storm's path. It was the city's all-time greatest single snowfall. New York City's Central Park officially recorded 20.2" (51.3 cm) for its third-largest single snowfall (records going back to 1869), but many locations in the outer boroughs and suburbs recorded over 3 feet (1 m) of snow. Schools in New York City's boroughs closed due to snow for the first time in 18 years.