Connecticut, 1997

Heavy Snow and Strong Wind in Connecticut, April 1, 1997

April 1, 1997 · NWS BOX · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

A low pressure system which formed off theNew Jersey coast during the early morning hours of March 31st intensified rapidly as it moved to a position 60 miles south of Newport, Rhode Island. This system retreated to the south during the early morning hours of April 1st, pulling in cold air from the north.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1.0 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.

A low pressure system which formed off theNew Jersey coast during the early morning hours of March 31st intensified rapidly as it moved to a position 60 miles south of Newport, Rhode Island. This system retreated to the south during the early morning hours of April 1st, pulling in cold air from the north. The center then moved slowly eastward.Heavy snow and strong winds produced near-blizzard conditions across the area during the early morning hours of April 1st. Snowfall totals of 12 to 21 inches were reported. Some totals included: Putnam, 21 inches; Union, 18.5 inches; and Mansfield, 16 inches. About 98,000 electric customers lost power statewide when the heavy, wet snow knocked down tree limbs and power lines. Most of the estimated dollar damage was from snow removal and restoration of power/removal of debris.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 heavy snow, 3 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Hartford

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Hartford forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Coordinates
41.819, -72.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Tolland

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Tolland forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000

Heavy Snow, Windham

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Windham forecast zone
Coordinates
41.827, -71.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Hartford

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Hartford forecast zone
Coordinates
41.819, -72.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Tolland

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Tolland forecast zone

Strong Wind, Windham

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where
Windham forecast zone
Coordinates
41.827, -71.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Connecticut in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Connecticut, April 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5604344, 5604345, 5604685, 5604686, 5604687, 5604688.