Current Date: 19 Apr, 2026
{{entry.title}}

The worst blizzard in recorded history: the 1972 Iran blizzard

The deadliest snowstorm ever recorded occurred in Iran in 1972. It lasted for a week, burying areas in 26 feet of snow and killing over 4,000 people, including the entire populations of three villages.

There are several ways to determine the worst blizzard in recorded history. Property damage and infrastructure repair cost money, but what stands out to me is loss of life and human and animal suffering.

Given that, the 1972 Iran Blizzard has to be at the top of the list.

We don’t normally think of Iran as a place where blizzards occur. Sure, they have mountains that get a lot of snow, but not everywhere else!

In reality, much of Iran has a semi-arid climate with high mountains and valleys that can experience all four seasons.

However, much of the country, like the United States, is located in an area where “extratropical” (outside the tropics) cyclone formation occurs.

Extratropical cyclones drive weather across much of the Earth and are commonly referred to in our region as low pressure systems, frontal systems, or synoptic lows—the latter less so because it is a more technical term in meteorological settings.

The worst blizzard in recorded history 1
Satellite image of an extratropical cyclone (Credit: NASA)

The 1972 Iran blizzard was an extraordinary event, as you’ll see in a moment.

The storm lasted seven days, from February 3 to February 9. However, several snowstorms in January had already blanketed the western half of the country.

Over the course of a week, heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures buried many rural areas under 10 feet of snow. Snowfall totaled up to 26 feet in parts of southern Iran.

This caused widespread tree damage and power outages, as well as burying homes and villages in enough snow to cover a two-and-a-half-story building. It’s difficult to picture.

The worst blizzard in recorded history 2
Cars, buses and people clog this street in Teheran, Iran, Feb. 11, 1972, after nearly eight feet of snow fell in the area. (AP Photo)

The death toll was unprecedented because there was no way to dig tunnels out of those homes that were so deeply buried in snow, no food, no medicine, no transportation, and no power to heat homes.

More than 4,000 people perished, with no survivors in some villages.

Rescuers attempted to provide food and aid but were compelled to flee when a second blizzard hit the nation a few days later on February 11.

The Great Blizzard of 1899 in February of that year was the deadliest blizzard in American history in terms of fatalities. The superstorm in March 1993 had the highest monetary cost.

The worst blizzard in recorded history 3
Photo Credit: alchetron.com
The worst blizzard in recorded history 4
Photo Credit: alchetron.com
The worst blizzard in recorded history 5
Photo Credit: alchetron.com
Similar Stories
Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

The ancient Egyptians used a pregnancy test that involved potentially pregnant women peeing on barley and wheat seeds. Plant growth indicated pregnancy: barley for a boy and wheat for a girl. Later tests revealed that pregnant women's urine causes plant growth 70% of the time, whereas non-pregnant women's urine does not.

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished

The Eiffel Tower was intended to be a temporary structure for the World's Fair in 1889, but it was nearly dismantled and sold for scrap metal. It was saved because of its potential use as a radio antenna, and it now serves as a tourist attraction as well as a working broadcast tower.

10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

Volcanic eruptions can devastate cities, change the world's atmosphere, and devastate economic systems. They can create molten lava rivers, mudslides, suffocating ash, and poisonous gases that cause chaos around the world for years. A volcanic explosion's effects can be massive, from its size to its death toll to its economic cost. Here is ten world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history.

Why Comedians Failed to Make Sober Sue Laugh in the Early 1900s

Why Comedians Failed to Make Sober Sue Laugh in the Early 1900s

In the bustling vaudeville scene of early 20th century New York, a mysterious performer known as "Sober Sue" captured public imagination not for jokes or songs, but for her unshakable stoicism—she never smiled or laughed. A local theater even offered a tempting reward of $1,000 to anyone who could make her laugh, drawing crowds and famous comedians eager to claim the prize. Despite countless hilarious attempts, Sue remained expressionless, a mystery that baffled performers and audiences until it was revealed that she suffered from facial paralysis, explaining her unchanging demeanor.

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.

How Sleep Deprivation Was Once Used as Torture

How Sleep Deprivation Was Once Used as Torture

Sleep deprivation, long before modern interrogation techniques, was considered a “clean” and effective form of torture—leaving no physical scars, yet breaking minds with haunting silence. Victims endured days and nights without rest, leading to vivid hallucinations, disorientation, and psychological torment. This article traces the dark history of sleep deprivation as a weapon, examines the science behind its effects on the brain, and shines a light on the painful balance between human endurance and cruelty in the annals of coercion.

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

On October 24, 1593, while performing his guard duties at Manila's Governor's Palace in the Philippines, Gil Perez stopped to lean against a wall and sleep for a while. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unusual environment. Gil was in the Plaza Mayor in Mexico City. They imprisoned Perez, but the authorities in Mexico City decided to release him and return him home.