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The Great Blizzard of 1978 struck across the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes on January 26, 1978, with a center in northwestern Ohio. A freak convergence of two atmospheric low pressure systems resulted in a "storm of unprecedented magnitude", according to the National Weather Service, who categorized it as a rare severe blizzard, the most menacing grade of winter storm. Particularly hard hit were the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and southeast Wisconsin where up to 40" of snow fell. Winds gusting up to 100 mph caused drifts that nearly covered some homes. Wind chill reached 60°F below across much of Ohio where 51 of the total 70 storm-related deaths occurred.[1]

The lowest atmospheric pressure ever recorded in the United States, apart from a hurricane, occurred as the storm passed over Cleveland, Ohio. The barometer fell to 28.28 inches (958 millibars).

Michigan Governor William Milliken declared a state of emergency and called out the Michigan National Guard to aid stranded motorists and road crews. The Michigan State Police pronounced Traverse City, Michigan "unofficially closed" and warned area residents to stay home. Classes at the University of Michigan were canceled for the first time in its 140 year history.

C.R. Snider, National Weather Service Meteorologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 30, 1978 commented:

"The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged throughout Thursday January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state."

The following table displays snowfall totals during the January 25-27, 1978 time period.

State	City/location	Amount (inches)
OH	Dayton	*12.2
MI	Detroit	8.2
MI	Flint	9.9
MI	Grand Rapids	19.2
MI	Houghton Lake	*15.4
IN	Indianapolis	*15.5
MI	Lansing	19.3
MI	Muskegon	30.0
MI	Traverse City	22-28

*Total data for a 24 hour period.

Source: National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac, Michigan [2]

• 25th Anniversary of the 1978 Blizzards
• "A Great Storm is Upon Michigan" The Great Blizzard of 1978!
• "The Great Blizzard of 1978
• "No Ordinary Blizzard
• "Remember Blizzard of Jan 26, 1978? Weather Historians Recall Blizzard of Legend"

See also The Blizzard of '78documentary produced by WBGU-PBS