(MSTS1) WBZ Radio - Blizzard of '78

[CalBostonian]

Thanks for the memories. We were living in Saugus at the time and couldn't get out of town for over a week. Our kids were jumping from third floor windows into snowbanks with no danger of getting hurt. After that winter we couldn't get to California quick enough. One thing I vividly remember was streets loaded with people pulling sleds or whatever they had to local convenience stores (no supers in or area) and cleaning them out. The liquor shelves emptied first.

[goofyradiodude]

Thanks for the memories! I was living in Medfield at the time and we measured 30" plus in our driveway after the storm and drifts up to the 2nd story windows of our house. I remember my father driving from Waltham to Medfield and taking many hours to get home , I believe the storm hit on a Monday and we were sent home from school by noon. I now live in Minneapolis and have not seen anything like that here, close but no cigar!! RIP Don Kent,a true weatherman.

[ashland1977]

Interesting note in this broadcast. Many places in the US didnt have 911 in 1978. I know the Ashland.Framingham area got it in June of 1980 and the state of Vermont didnt even have it until 2000!

[ashland1977]

Awesome!

[wren741]

I was in the Air Force and we were just returning from Italy. I had planned to spend about 3 days with family in Somerville. 2 days after we arrived at Logan came the "Blizzard of 78". We ended up stuck there for 11 days. There was absolutely no traffic on Mystic Ave or I-93. I don't recall seeing a plow til about day 8 and he barely put a dent in the snow on Mystic Ave. My sincerest thanks to Don Kent (RIP) and so many of the other TV weathermen for keeping us informed. wren741

[wren741]

I was in the Air Force and we were just returning from Italy. I had planned to spend about 3 days with family in Somerville. 2 days after we arrived at Logan came the "Blizzard of 78". We ended up stuck there for 11 days. There was absolutely no traffic on Mystic Ave or I-93. I don't recall seeing a plow til about day 8 and he barely put a dent in the snow on Mystic Ave. My sincerest thanks to Don Kent (RIP) and so many of the other TV weathermen for keeping us informed.

[caganb]

I got stuck and abandoned my van. It got broken into and vandalized the next day. Life is good.

[MSTS1]

@caganb - My brothers' van was stolen in Bos a couple years later; stole the wheels and stereo, then smashed all the windows. Turns out it was a towing co. that did it.

In your case, interesting that the Blizzard stopped everyone, except the criminals..

[GEMINITREKKER]

That brings back alot of memories! I was only a middle school kid during this storm,but it wasnt as bad in small town New Hampshire as it was in Boston and the larger cities. I just remember alot of playing in the snow! lol. It brought back alot of memories hearing Don Kents voice on the radio! Thanks for uploading this!

[mainmedic]

Don Kent a true New England legend. RIP  Mr. Kent

[ArtyLama]

nice work saving this - add a tag for Don Kent (don't ya think)

[MSTS1]

Thanks Ah-D.  Tags?: done.

[beatlejim64]

THE storm(so far) of my lifetime...that was AMAZING!!!!

[SCRIPPSCAST2007]

Where did you get graphics like that!!! I want that software!!!

[MSTS1]

It's hand-drawn- I made it myself.

[SCRIPPSCAST2007]

Must be pretty good talent!!! You're a real natural!!! But just one question!!! Why does it look so 3D/CGI-ish!?!? And also, how do you add logos to all your videos!?!?

[MSTS1]

Thanks for that!

Well it seems to look 3D because I illustrated it in a perspective of looking up at the building from a corner view.

As for logos, mine is an overlay with a saved-selection on the logo. When I bring it into animation I re-select the logo selection and choose a transparent background so the under-tracks will then be visible around the logo.

[altfactor]

One other note about Don Kent: I seem to recall that the morning of February 6th (a few houts before the snow started), he was the only weathercaster on radio or TV (he was doing both at WBZ-TY and Radio) predicting a major snow, although his projection of a foot was way off the mark.

Other TV weathercasters here were not predicting more than light snow with minimal accumulations.

[MSTS1]

Also, this storm didn't dump snow onto bare ground, it followed another big snow storm right before it, late January 1978, and it all piled up massively.

[altfactor]

The storm actually began on the afternoon of Monday, February 6th.

By the time of this audio clip (7:48-7:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time), it had been snowing in the Boston area for close to 17 hours!

I seem to recall the snow didn't end until early that afternoon.

[wtglb]

@altfactor I remember it starting to snow in the morning, they let us out of school early (I was a senior at the time) and I do believe you are right, Don Kent was the only one calling for significant snow.

[altfactor]

AM radio itself has a limited audio range, and even a direct (not by putting a microphone to a speaker) recording wouldn't have sounded much better.

An interesting soundbite of perhaps the biggest weather disaster in New England history.

[moosewelch]

Ahhh.. The comforting sound of Gary LaPierre... and I don't think any of us want to relive that storm ever.

[tom01757]

ahhhh the good olde days no area codes to dial out

[tapthatt2012]

great way ti illustrate these little bits of audio history. much appreciated.

[ch18021]

Great animation, and very nice recording. Great job.