An area of low pressure moved generally eastward from Oklahoma and produced heavy rains from Missouri to Ohio on February 8.

Mixed precipitation soon spread across the Mid-Atlantic States, and heavy snow began to fall from New Jersey northward by 1200 UTC on February 9.

Lesser accumulations up to 20 in (51 cm)—occurred in areas south to western Connecticut, Massachusetts, southern Vermont, northern Rhode Island, and eastern New Hampshire.

[6] Streets throughout Queens became impassable; mail service, buses, taxis, delivery vehicles, and trash collection were all disrupted.

A snow emergency was issued in the city, and the Long Island Rail Road suspended all service at the time.

[9] Throughout the region, the lack of delivery trucks also led to a shortage of food staples such as milk and bread.

Portions of the city remained unplowed a week after the nor'easter, leading the mayor into "political misfortune".

[1] Lindsay's visit to Queens was poorly received, and his limousine had trouble driving through the streets of Rego Park.

[11] Lindsay was able to win the mayoral election by running on a third-party ticket,[12] but he was politically weakened by the crisis.