Despite the existence instruments created to predict the weather, sometimes, Mother Nature throws a curveball.

What was forecasted as a Category 1 hurricane, an F1 tornado, a minor flood, a small fire, or a light dusting of snow, can turn into an extremely unpredictable weather pattern without warning.

While there are systems in place to help people in the path of destruction prepare for devastating weather events (like evacuations ahead of a hurricane), that wasn't always the case. To this day, ruinous weather patterns can move in with little to no notice and all Bay Staters can do is hope for the best and brace for the worst.

According to a list compiled by LoveExploring, the "most shocking" weather event to ever occur in Massachusetts was The Great New England Hurricane of 1938. This devastating storm killed 564 people and is known as the most catastrophic weather event in Massachusetts history.

Here's what LoveExploring detailed about the state's worst weather event of all time:

"This devastating hurricane, which also caused serious damage in Connecticut and New York, reached its fastest recorded speeds in Massachusetts, with 186 miles per hour (299km/h) registered at Blue Hill Observatory – the strongest ever in the New England region. A total of 564 people died, close to 9,000 buildings were destroyed and a further 15,000 were damaged by the storm. In Massachusetts, tens of thousands of boats were destroyed or severely damaged, tides surged up to 25 feet (8m) and parts of the state were submerged by eight feet (2.4m) of water."

For a continued list of the most shocking weather events to occur in each state, visit loveexploring.com.

Maverik