 Snow cover in St. John's is variable, and especially early in the winter season, may be slow to develop, but can extend well into the spring months (March, April).The St. John's area is subject to freezing rain events (called "silver thaws"), the worst of which paralyzed the city in April 1984 and April 2017.On January 17, 2020, St. John's declared a state of emergency due to a snowstorm that brought an estimated 76.2 cm—a one-day snowfall record for St. John's—and hurricane force winds.