Special Report

The Snowiest County in Every State

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Love it or hate it, snow is on the way or has already arrived in many parts of the United States. While most places are not likely to see anything close to their state’s record snowfall this year — or anytime soon — historical snowfall records show which places are likely to get the most snowfall compared to other parts of the state.

24/7 Wall St. used data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to calculate for every weather station in the country the total snowfall over the winter of 2016, 2017, and 2018 during the months of November through March. We listed for every state the county with the weather station recording the most snowfall in the state over this period. 

Click here to see the places with the biggest snowfall in history in every state

Total snowfall has decreased in many parts of North America. In only six states were snowfall records set after 2010, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

On the other hand, long-term patterns are not perfect predictors for short-term seasonal forecasts. The popular and longest continuously-running periodical in North America, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, predicts that the 2019-2020 winter season will be colder and wetter than usual.

Climate change is one reason we are on the whole experiencing less snowfall in the United States. Less snowfall is likely the least of our concerns — click here to find out which climate disasters will get worse if we do nothing to stop climate change. And here are the most common arguments used by climate deniers.

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers / Wikimedia Commons

1. Alabama: Talladega County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 8.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 0.53 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 13 inches on March 13, 1993

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2. Alaska: Haines County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 517.2 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 34.48 inches in February 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 42 inches on January 2, 2012

See all stories featuring: Alaska

usdagov / Flickr

3. Arizona: Apache County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 268.4 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 17.89 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 40 inches on November 30, 1975

See all stories featuring: Arizona

4. Arkansas: Arkansas County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 49.5 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 3.30 inches in January 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 13 inches on December 22, 1963

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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Loco Steve / WIkimedia Commons

5. California: Placer County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 1274.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 84.93 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 49 inches on April 3, 1958

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Larry Lamsa / Flickr

6. Colorado: Delta County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 827.2 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 55.15 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 19 inches on March 23, 2016

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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7. Connecticut: Litchfield County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 221.4 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 14.76 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 30 inches on February 10, 1969

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

8. Delaware: New Castle County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 78.9 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 5.26 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 22.5 inches on February 6, 2010

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Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners

9. Florida: Santa Rosa County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 0.7 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 0.70 inches in January 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 4 inches on March 6, 1954

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Rabun County Road Information

10. Georgia: Rabun County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 42.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 2.80 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 14 inches on January 7, 1988

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Sakkawokkie / Getty Images

11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 2.6 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 0.24 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 4.5 inches on December 5, 1958

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107640324@N05 / Flickr

12. Idaho: Idaho County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 512.9 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 34.19 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 0 inches on N/A 0, 0

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13. Illinois: Dupage County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 99.5 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 6.63 inches in February 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 23 inches on February 2, 2011

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Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons

14. Indiana: Laporte County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 233.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 15.59 inches in January 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 22 inches on February 4, 2009

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15. Iowa: Webster County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 128.7 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 8.58 inches in February 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 14 inches on March 2, 2007

See all stories featuring: Iowa

Photo by Liz Roll / FEMA

16. Kansas: Decatur County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 70.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 5.01 inches in February 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 24 inches on October 26, 1997

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James St. John / Flickr

17. Kentucky: Breathitt County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 61.9 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 4.13 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 19.8 inches on March 13, 1993

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

Z28scrambler / Wikimedia Commons

18. Louisiana: Assumption Parish
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 6.5 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 0.50 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 8 inches on December 29, 1901

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19. Maine: Aroostook County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 351.9 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 23.46 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 28.600000000000001 inches on March 14, 1984

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20. Maryland: Garrett County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 254.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 16.94 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 35.5 inches on February 6, 2010

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21. Massachusetts: Franklin County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 283.4 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 18.89 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 26 inches on December 19, 1986

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22. Michigan: Houghton County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 573.7 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 38.25 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 26.5 inches on January 18, 1996

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23. Minnesota: Lake County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 279.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 18.61 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 36 inches on January 7, 1994

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artwell / Getty Images

24. Mississippi: Forrest County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 10.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 1.44 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 14 inches on January 1, 1964

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25. Missouri: Nodaway County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 45.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 3.05 inches in November 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 24 inches on February 25, 1912

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library_of_congress / Flickr

26. Montana: Stillwater County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 517.2 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 34.48 inches in November 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 44 inches on April 20, 1912

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27. Nebraska: Sioux County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 163.2 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 10.88 inches in March 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 30 inches on April 9, 2013

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28. Nevada: Douglas County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 340.2 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 22.68 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 45 inches on April 4, 1958

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Jon Platek / Wikimedia Commons

29. New Hampshire: Coos County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 491.4 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 32.76 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 49.3 inches on February 25, 1969

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30. New Jersey: Morris County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 164.6 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 10.97 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 26 inches on February 7, 1978

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Design Pics / Getty Images

31. New Mexico: Sandoval County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 264.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 17.60 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 28 inches on November 23, 1931

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32. New York: Cattaraugus County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 684.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 45.61 inches in December 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 29 inches on February 20, 1960

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33. North Carolina: Yancey County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 296.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 19.73 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 36 inches on March 13, 1993

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Bottineau Winter Park

34. North Dakota: Bottineau County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 171.1 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 11.41 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 24.800000000000001 inches on December 8, 2016

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Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

35. Ohio: Geauga County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 325.6 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 21.71 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 18.9 inches on January 4, 2010

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DrunkDriver / Wikimedia Commons

36. Oklahoma: Beaver County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 14.5 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 1.21 inches in March 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 22 inches on March 27, 2009

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37. Oregon: Klamath County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 1030.5 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 68.70 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 37 inches on January 17, 1951

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Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands / Wikimedia Commons

38. Pennsylvania: Somerset County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 367.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 24.52 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 40 inches on March 14, 1993

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39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 173.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 11.59 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 30 inches on February 7, 1978

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scguard / Flickr

40. South Carolina: Greenville County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 48.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 3.49 inches in December 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 15 inches on February 15, 1902

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Joe Wolf / Flickr

41. South Dakota: Lawrence County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 296.6 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 19.77 inches in November 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 52 inches on March 14, 1973

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jlwhaley / Getty Images

42. Tennessee: Sevier County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 162.3 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 10.82 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 30 inches on March 14, 1993

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Renelibrary / Wikimedia Commons

43. Texas: Sherman County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 27.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 1.85 inches in December 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 16 inches on January 19, 1990

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44. Utah: Salt Lake County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 953.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 63.53 inches in January 2017
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 38 inches on December 2, 1982

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45. Vermont: Essex County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 478.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 31.92 inches in November 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 24 inches on December 7, 2003

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krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

46. Virginia: Tazewell County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 116.8 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 7.79 inches in March 2018
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 21 inches on January 28, 1998

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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liangwei / Getty Images

47. Washington: Pierce County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 1386.3 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 92.42 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 70 inches on November 26, 1955

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pixabay

48. West Virginia: Tucker County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 400.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 26.67 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 36 inches on February 10, 1926

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jchapiewsky / Flickr

49. Wisconsin: Iron County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 307.0 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 20.47 inches in January 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 26 inches on March 13, 2006

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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Caliverve / Getty Images

50. Wyoming: Teton County
> Total snowfall during last 3 winters (20162018, November – March): 699.4 inches
> Avg. snowfall during snowiest winter month: 46.63 inches in December 2016
> 1-day snowfall record (1886-2017): 34 inches on January 28, 1933

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

 

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