If there is one source of endless fun and wonder when we are kids but endless grief and frustration when we are adults, it is snow. Sledding, snow angels, and pristine white blankets give way to shoveling, trudging through slush, and dealing with having a snowed-in car. And every state has had its fair share of snow.
Certain parts of the country are basically synonymous with snow. If Alaska and Vermont make it through the winter without any significant snowfall, then we are in serious trouble. But it is not every day that you see more than 3 feet of snow piling up in Arizona or New Mexico – yet sometimes even that happens.
To identify the places with the biggest snowfall in history in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed historical snowfall data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information database of Snowfall Extremes. The counties and county equivalents listed had the largest three-day snowfall on record in the state. (The date listed represents the final day of the two or three-day snowfall period. The two-day and one-day record totals listed are the highest in the county or county equivalent and not necessarily the state as a whole.)
It is expected that northern and Midwestern states are going to get mountains of snowfall every winter, but the snow events that found their way into the record books in these states are truly exceptional. For example, the deadly blizzard that hit Buffalo, New York, over Christmas 2022 dumped 4.25 feet of snow on the area. The state record, however, which also fell on Buffalo, pummeled the city with more than 7 feet of snow in three days in November 2014. (Here are the 25 worst holiday storms of all time.)
Surprisingly, perhaps, Arizona’s biggest three-day snowfall was even larger, at nearly 8 feet, in Coconino County, which encompasses Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, on Jan. 22, 2010. Not surprising, the biggest snowfalls in Florida amounted to 4 inches only – in Santa Rosa in March 1954.
Alaska had the biggest three-day snowfall when 12 feet 3 inches fell in the last few days of 1955 in the Chugach Census Area along the Gulf of Alaska. The second biggest three-day snowfall was in Siskiyou County, the northernmost county in California, when 11 feet 3 inches fell in February 1959. (See also the coldest day ever recorded in every state.)
Click here to see the biggest snowfall on record in every state,
Alabama: Pickens County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10 inches (1/24/1940)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10 inches (1/24/1940)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 6.5 inches (1/23/1940)
> Largest place in county: Aliceville
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Alaska: Chugach Census Area
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 12 feet, 3 inches (12/30/1955)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 10 feet, 0.6 inches (12/30/1955)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 5 feet, 2 inches (12/29/1955)
> Largest place in county: Valdez
24/7 Wall St.
Arizona: Coconino County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 7 feet, 11 inch (1/22/2010)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 6 feet, 5 inches (1/22/2010)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet, 6 inches (1/21/2010)
> Largest place in county: Flagstaff
Arkansas: Clay County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 1 inch (1/22/1918)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 1 inch (1/22/1918)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 1 inch (1/22/1918)
> Largest place in county: Piggott
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California: Siskiyou County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 11 feet, 3 inches (2/18/1959)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 8 feet, 7 inches (2/17/1959)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 5 feet, 3 inches (1/2/1901)
> Largest place in county: Yreka
Colorado: Mineral County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 8 feet, 8 inches (1/28/1956)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 7 feet, 6 inches (1/28/1956)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 4 feet, 7 inches (1/14/1997)
> Largest place in county: Creede
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Connecticut: Middlesex County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 2 inches (3/14/1888)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 10 inches (3/13/1888)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6 inches (2/9/2013)
> Largest place in county: Middletown
Delaware: Sussex County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5 inches (2/8/2010)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5 inches (2/7/2010)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (2/13/1899)
> Largest place in county: Seaford
Florida: Santa Rosa County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 inches (3/6/1954)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 inches (3/6/1954)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 4 inches (3/6/1954)
> Largest place in county: Pace
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Georgia: Walker County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 1 foot, 9 inches (3/14/1993)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 1 foot, 9 inches (3/14/1993)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 1.5 inches (1/23/1940)
> Largest place in county: LaFayette
Hawaii: Maui County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 1 foot, 3.5 inches (2/3/1936)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 11.5 inches (2/3/1936)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 6.5 inches (2/2/1936)
> Largest place in county: Kahului
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Idaho: Elmore County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 8 feet, 2 inches (10/3/1969)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet, 6 inches (10/2/1969)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 10 inches (10/20/1969)
> Largest place in county: Mountain Home
Illinois: Lake County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 3.9 inches (1/5/2015)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 3 inches (1/4/2015)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10.8 inches (2/2/2011)
> Largest place in county: Waukegan
Indiana: LaPorte County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 5.1 inch (1/6/2018)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 10.2 inches (1/5/2018)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10 inches (2/4/2009)
> Largest place in county: Michigan City
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Iowa: Dallas County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5 inches (3/10/1909)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5 inches (3/10/1909)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 4 inches (3/16/2004)
> Largest place in county: Waukee
Kansas: Johnson County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 1 inch (3/24/1912)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 1 inch (3/24/1912)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 8 inches (3/23/1912)
> Largest place in county: Overland Park
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Kentucky: Madison County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 5 inches (2/6/1998)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6.5 inches (2/5/1998)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 8.2 inches (1/8/1942)
> Largest place in county: Richmond
24/7 Wall St.
Louisiana: Terrebonne Parish
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 1 foot, 4 inches (2/15/1895)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 1 foot, 4 inches (2/15/1895)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 4 inches (2/15/1895)
> Largest place in county: Houma
Maine: Somerset County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 9 inches (2/27/1969)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 1 inch (2/27/1969)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6 inches (2/26/1969)
> Largest place in county: Skowhegan
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Maryland: Allegany County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 4 inches (3/15/1993)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet (3/15/1993)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6 inches (3/14/1993)
> Largest place in county: Cumberland
Massachusetts: Essex County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 7.9 inches (2/8/1978)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 7.7 inches (2/8/1978)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 7 inches (2/7/1978)
> Largest place in county: Lynn
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Michigan: Emmet County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 5 feet (12/27/2001)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 8 inches (12/26/2001)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (12/26/2001)
> Largest place in county: Petoskey
Minnesota: Lake County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 10.5 inches (1/8/1994)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 9 inches (1/7/1994)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet (1/7/1994)
> Largest place in county: Two Harbors
Mississippi: Marshall County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 1 foot, 6 inches (12/23/1963)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 1 foot, 6 inches (12/23/1963)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 6 inches (12/23/1963)
> Largest place in county: Holly Springs
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Missouri: Newton County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 3.6 inches (3/17/1970)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 3.6 inches (3/17/1970)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10 inches (3/14/1999)
> Largest place in county: Joplin
Montana: Carbon County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 6 feet, 1 inch (4/27/1984)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet (4/26/1984)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet (10/26/1996)
> Largest place in county: Red Lodge
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Nebraska: Sheridan County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 7.5 inches (4/14/1927)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 11 inch (4/14/1927)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 9 inches (4/14/1927)
> Largest place in county: Gordon
Nevada: Douglas County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 6 feet, 9 inches (4/4/1958)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet, 8 inches (4/4/1958)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet, 9 inches (4/4/1958)
> Largest place in county: Gardnerville Ranchos
New Hampshire: Coos County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 7 feet, 7.1 inch (2/27/1969)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 6 feet, 5.1 inch (2/26/1969)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 4 feet, 1.3 inches (2/25/1969)
> Largest place in county: Berlin
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New Jersey: Cape May County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 10 inches (2/14/1899)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5 inches (2/14/1899)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 10 inches (12/27/2010)
> Largest place in county: Ocean City
New Mexico: Rio Arriba County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 6 feet, 2 inches (1/28/1916)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 9 inches (1/28/1916)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet (11/22/1931)
> Largest place in county: Española
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New York: Erie County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 7 feet, 2.5 inches (11/20/2014)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 3 inches (11/19/2014)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet, 11.5 inches (11/20/2014)
> Largest place in county: Buffalo
24/7 Wall St.
North Carolina: Yancey County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 2 inches (3/14/1993)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 1 inch (3/14/1993)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet (3/13/1993)
> Largest place in county: Burnsville
North Dakota: Ransom County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 11 inch (2/15/1915)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 10 inches (2/15/1915)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (2/15/1915)
> Largest place in county: Lisbon
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Ohio: Licking County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 6 inches (4/21/1901)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 10 inches (4/20/1901)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 1 inch (4/20/1901)
> Largest place in county: Newark
Oklahoma: Harper County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet (2/22/1971)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet (2/22/1971)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 11 inch (2/21/1971)
> Largest place in county: Laverne
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Oregon: Malheur County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 7 feet, 1 inch (4/10/2009)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet, 4 inches (4/9/2009)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 5 feet (4/8/2009)
> Largest place in county: Ontario
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Pennsylvania: Chester County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 4.4 inches (2/14/1899)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 9.3 inches (2/14/1899)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 11.3 inches (2/13/1899)
> Largest place in county: West Chester
Rhode Island: Providence County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 2 inches (2/8/1978)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 2 inches (2/8/1978)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6 inches (2/7/1978)
> Largest place in county: Providence
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South Carolina: Greenville County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 4.9 inches (2/18/1969)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 1 foot, 4.5 inches (1/8/1988)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 1 foot, 3 inches (2/15/1902)
> Largest place in county: Greenville
South Dakota: Lawrence County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 6 feet, 2.1 inch (2/27/1998)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 11.4 inches (4/19/2006)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 4 feet, 4 inches (3/14/1973)
> Largest place in county: Spearfish
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Tennessee: Sevier County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 5 feet (3/14/1993)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet (3/14/1993)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 6 inches (3/14/1993)
> Largest place in county: Sevierville
Texas: Hale County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 2 feet, 5.5 inches (2/4/1956)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet, 1.5 inches (2/4/1956)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (2/4/1956)
> Largest place in county: Plainview
Utah: Salt Lake County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 6 feet, 7 inches (12/3/1982)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet, 5 inches (12/2/1982)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet, 2 inches (12/2/1982)
> Largest place in county: Salt Lake City
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Vermont: Orleans County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet (2/6/1995)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet (2/6/1995)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 3 feet, 6 inches (2/5/1995)
> Largest place in county: Newport
Virginia: Madison County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 1 inch (1/8/1996)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet (1/7/1996)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet, 9 inches (3/6/1962)
> Largest place in county: Madison
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Washington: Pierce County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 7 feet, 4 inches (1/25/1971)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 5 feet, 10 inches (11/27/1955)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 5 feet, 10 inches (11/26/1955)
> Largest place in county: Tacoma
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West Virginia: Harrison County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 4 feet, 9.2 inches (11/26/1950)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 3 feet, 4.5 inches (11/25/1950)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (11/25/1950)
> Largest place in county: Clarksburg
Wisconsin: Washburn County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 3 feet, 6 inches (3/15/1899)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 2 feet (4/1/1896)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 2 feet (3/13/1899)
> Largest place in county: Spooner
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Wyoming: Johnson County
> Largest 3-day snowfall: 5 feet, 1 inch (3/22/1924)
> Largest 2-day snowfall: 4 feet, 11 inch (3/21/1924)
> Largest 1-day snowfall: 4 feet, 1 inch (3/21/1924)
> Largest place in county: Buffalo
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