Blizzard of March 1966

The Blizzard of 1966 was one of the worst snow storms ever recorded in North Dakota, often earning the nickname “Blizzard of the Century”.

The storm lasted four days, from Wednesday until Saturday. In the end, 22 inches of snow officially fell on the area. When businesses began to reopen the following day, controversy rang out due to a state blue law preventing stores from opening on Sunday, despite that it was the first time stores could open in days.

Three Northern Pacific Locomotives became stuck in the snow just outside the city. At least 5 deaths were recorded due to the storm. The Governor called a State of Emergency, and sent out the National Guard to assist in cleanup efforts.

The March 1966 snow storm saw the biggest snow total for a single storm in the Bismarck-Mandan region, however March 1966 was not the biggest snow total for a single month, and the 1965-1966 snow season is not the record holder for the most snow in a single season. It was also not the longest blizzard; that honor belongs to the Blizzard of January 1897, which lasted ten days.

Other years seeing major winter storms have included 1897, 1941, 1975, 1997, and most recently 2008 and 2009.

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