That said, the exaggeration is not that large, and winter also has its charm. There is something compelling about walking in the bitter cold with the snow squeaking underfoot, the moisture in your breath freezing in your beard.
The last really bad storm was winter storm Atlas.
https://www.weather.gov/unr/2013-10-03_05
Leaves were still on the trees, which badly damaged most trees in the area, and the heavy rain followed by freeze and blizzard conditions killed tens of thousands of sheep, cattle, and horses in Oct 2013.