ROCKLAND POST DESK
As winter weather makes its way back into Rockland County, longtime residents often find themselves comparing today’s snowfalls to the storms of the past. While most recent winters have brought manageable accumulations, Rockland has experienced several major snowstorms over the decades that are still talked about today.
The largest single-day snowfall ever recorded in Rockland County occurred on January 8, 1996, when parts of the county were buried under as much as 27 inches of snow. Roads were impassable, schools and businesses shut down, and many residents remember digging out for days. That storm remains the benchmark for snowstorms in Rockland.
Another more recent storm many residents remember is the January 23–24, 2016 blizzard, which blanketed much of the county with 16 to 17 inches of snow in communities such as New City and Stony Point. Travel bans, school closures, and plowed-in driveways were common sights as crews worked around the clock to clear roads.
Looking further back, Rockland County was also affected by some of the most historic blizzards in Northeast history, even when precise local snowfall totals were not always officially recorded.
The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck in March, brought deep snow, towering drifts, and near-total shutdowns across the region. Transportation was crippled for days, and snow reportedly lingered for weeks in some areas.
Photo from Nyack News and Views 1888
In December 1947, another legendary storm dumped more than two feet of snow across parts of the New York metropolitan area, with Rockland County experiencing heavy accumulations as well. The storm overwhelmed plowing efforts and caused widespread disruption just after Christmas.
The December 1969 nor’easter also stands out, delivering 20 inches or more of snow in parts of the region and marking one of the most severe winter events of that era.
While modern forecasting and road treatment have improved how communities prepare for winter weather, these historic storms serve as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in Rockland County. Even smaller storms today often bring renewed conversations about preparedness, road safety, and checking on neighbors, especially seniors and those with limited mobility.
As winter continues, residents are encouraged to stay informed, allow extra travel time during storms, and remember that Rockland’s history shows even a routine snowfall can sometimes turn into something much bigger.