A powerful nor'easter has delivered record-breaking April snowfall to portions of New England and the Mid-Atlantic, with some areas receiving over 18 inches of heavy, wet snow. The storm knocked out power to 500,000 customers and caused widespread tree damage.
Burlington, Vermont recorded 20.3 inches, shattering the previous April snowfall record of 14.5 inches set in 1982. Portland, Maine received 15.7 inches, and even Boston recorded 8 inches of accumulation — its latest significant snowfall since 1997.
The storm's impact was amplified by the heavy, wet nature of the snow, which clung to trees that had already begun leafing out for spring. The weight caused extensive tree and limb failures, bringing down power lines across the region.
Utility crews from as far away as Ohio and Virginia have been deployed to assist with power restoration, which is expected to take 3-5 days in the hardest-hit rural areas. Warming centers have been opened in affected communities.
While late-season snowstorms are not unprecedented, climate scientists note that the setup — warm Gulf Stream waters providing moisture to a still-cold upper atmosphere — may become more common as ocean temperatures rise, potentially extending the window for impactful winter storms.
