Many Bel Air High School students and Marylanders were disappointed when the so called Blizzard of 2015, ‘Juno’, never hit Maryland. The originally called for five-to-eight inches never showed up, crushing dreams of snow days and sledding. Though the blizzard that many forecasters claimed would be ‘historic’ never came, looking back at history, Maryland has had some rather extreme winter weather in the past.

During the North American blizzard of 2006, a nor’easter went through many major cities, including Baltimore, leaving at least a foot of snow behind it. The storm caused state-wide power outages. The snow fell on Saturday, giving crews time to clear roads for school and work on Monday. The next major snowstorm wasn’t until three years later.

Between the days of Dec. 18 to 19 of 2009, around 16 to 24 inches fell in varying degrees of severity around the Mid-Atlantic. Some areas received up to 30 inches, while others were closer to 15. The storm, nicknamed “Snowpocalypse”, caused car accidents and left people stranded on roadways.

As recent as 2010, Maryland has received 20 plus inches of snow. Between the days of Feb. 5 to 6, parts of the state got about 25 inches of snow. This storm, dubbed “Snowmageddon” swept through the Mid-Atlantic giving many snow days, but also causing death and widespread chaos. Here in Maryland, blizzard conditions were reported and snow caused building damage, including the collapse of the roof of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

Snow may be desirable, with its off days and fun it brings along, but it can also be extremely damaging. With property damage, slips and falls, and bad road conditions leading to accidents, snow isn’t ideal for all. Many are hoping for at least one large snowstorm this year, but remembering the dangers past storms have brought reminds us that snow may only be best in moderation.