STATEN ISLAND N.Y. The two-day Blizzard of 2003 (also known as the North American Blizzard of 2003) lasted from Feb. 16-17, leaving Staten Island covered with nearly 20 inches of snow.

It spread heavy snow across the major cities of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, making it the defining snowstorm of the very snowy winter of 2002-2003.

From shoveling to sledding, Staten Island residents spent their day trying to maneuver through the snow.

As seen in the photos below, snow-covered cars and streets made this blizzard unforgettable.

It is one of the many storms that dumped 20-plus inches of snow on Staten Island, dating back as far as 1888.

Shoveling out

Custodian Ray Mazurek uses a snowblower to clear a sidewalk outside Paulo Intermediate School (IS 75) in Huguenot. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

Former Woman of Achievement, Luz Captain of oakwood, Guyon Ave takes a break to smile at the cameras she shovels her driveway. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma)staten island advance

A snowplow clears Guyon Ave. in Oakwood. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Blizzard conditions on Monday, Feb. 16, 2003, forced the owners of SportsFest, located at 55 Mill Rd., New Dorp, to take down the bubble-like structure as a precaution against the 40-mph wind gusts that ripped through the borough. The year-round sports center, home to indoor soccer leagues, is expected to be up and running in the next few days. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance

A machine clears snow from the tracks of the Staten Island Railway as a Sanitation truck plows the Beach Avenue overpass in New Dorp. Service on the railway was suspended shortly after noon when the snowfall buried the electrified third rail. Staten Island Advance/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance

Snow-covered cars along Richmond Rd in Grasmere on Feb. 16, 2003. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

Maria and David Cheung dig out on Buchanan Avenue, Meiers Corners. Violations will cost homeowners, Sanitation Department says. (Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)staten island advance

Dangerous Roads

Roadways around the island including the Staten Island Expressway were completely blanketed in snow, making islanders travel by foot to stores.

Stranded on Richmond Ave. These people seemed to have a hard time leaving the Shop-Rite on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance

An Empty Costco seen behind this lonely snowplow clearing the gas station on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance

February's blizzard buried streets with nearly 20 inches of snow and forced residents to do their shopping on foot. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Sand Lane was taken by Robin Rd. in South Beach. (Staten Island Advance/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance

Snow day festivities

While some may have chosen to stay in their homes, others embraced the snowy weather.

Marco Lacertosa, 9, Angelina Lacertosa, 6, Tiffany Stawiarski, 8, and Joshua Schorr, 11, play on a snow pile at Stonegate in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance

Lyman Brothwell puts the finishing touches on a 20-foot snow dog outside his home in Mariners Harbor. The project took five hours to complete. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Dominick Cortese, 12, Jessica Kelly, 11, Brandon Ventrudo, 11, and Vito Cortese, 8, rear, enjoy a snowball fight on the hill off Martling Avenue in Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance)

Frank Peduto traversed through Arden Heights on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV). (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma)staten island advance

Elias Pinedo plays with dog Lady along Targee St. in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance/Rob Sollett)staten island advance

The sun sets on another day of digging out of the blizzard and wondering when smaller streets would be completely passable. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

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18 years ago today: The Blizzard of 2003 slams Staten Island - silive.com