Introduction
Snowfall in the United States is a very diverse phenomenon that occurs across all regions of the country. From east to west and north to south, snowfall varies widely depending on the location and time of year. In mountainous areas such as the Rockies in Colorado, snowfall can reach several feet deep, while in some parts of Florida and Texas, snow may fall only rarely. In northern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, heavy snowfall amounts can occur from December through March creating dangerous icy road conditions. Further south in states like Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina a mix of rain and snow is more common with lighter accumulations than further north. The amount of snow that falls each year also depends on elevation: higher elevations receive more snow than lower elevations because cold air sinks down from the atmosphere into the valleys below. Furthermore, global warming has had an effect on overall US snowfall patterns leading to reduced snowfall in some areas while increased accumulation in other parts of the country.
| # | State | Average Annual Snowfall | Average Temperature | Humidity Levels | Average Annual Sunlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 174.35 in | 46.9 °F | 80% | 3,891 kJ/m² |
| 2 | Maine | 92 in | 44.9 °F | 78.5% | 3,815 kJ/m² |
| 3 | Vermont | 80.2 in | 45.7 °F | 76% | 3,826 kJ/m² |
| 4 | Alaska | 79.6 in | 30.7 °F | 79% | |
| 5 | Wyoming | 77.33 in | 43.9 °F | 63.75% | 4,471 kJ/m² |
| 6 | Michigan | 70.38 in | 46.7 °F | 82.38% | 4,018 kJ/m² |
| 7 | New York | 61.21 in | 48.2 °F | 76.44% | 3,904 kJ/m² |
| 8 | Utah | 58.2 in | 51.3 °F | 63% | 4,887 kJ/m² |
| 9 | Minnesota | 57.76 in | 42.5 °F | 82.2% | 3,968 kJ/m² |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 57.67 in | 51.8 °F | 74.67% | 3,944 kJ/m² |
| 11 | Montana | 49.81 in | 44.6 °F | 69.71% | 3,847 kJ/m² |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 46.23 in | 45 °F | 81.75% | 4,023 kJ/m² |
| 13 | West Virginia | 44.17 in | 54 °F | 83.5% | 4,146 kJ/m² |
| 14 | North Dakota | 43.4 in | 42.4 °F | 81.5% | 3,925 kJ/m² |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 42.24 in | 51.4 °F | 78.14% | 3,939 kJ/m² |
| 16 | Ohio | 40.4 in | 53.5 °F | 81.13% | 4,139 kJ/m² |
| 17 | South Dakota | 39.83 in | 47.9 °F | 79.25% | 4,332 kJ/m² |
| 18 | Connecticut | 38.85 in | 52.5 °F | 75.5% | 3,988 kJ/m² |
| 19 | Iowa | 36.17 in | 49.9 °F | 82.5% | 4,331 kJ/m² |
| 20 | Colorado | 36 in | 47.9 °F | 59.2% | 4,960 kJ/m² |
| 21 | Rhode Island | 36 in | 53.5 °F | 75% | 3,989 kJ/m² |
| 22 | Indiana | 33.25 in | 54 °F | 82% | 4,318 kJ/m² |
| 23 | Nebraska | 31.19 in | 52 °F | 79.86% | 4,685 kJ/m² |
| 24 | Illinois | 31.12 in | 54 °F | 82% | 4,380 kJ/m² |
| 25 | Arizona | 29.53 in | 62.9 °F | 52.25% | 5,755 kJ/m² |
| 26 | Nevada | 27.92 in | 53.4 °F | 56.6% | 5,296 kJ/m² |
| 27 | Idaho | 25.17 in | 45.3 °F | 67% | 4,251 kJ/m² |
| 28 | New Jersey | 23.9 in | 56 °F | 76% | 4,056 kJ/m² |
| 29 | Kansas | 21.48 in | 57.4 °F | 78.6% | 4,890 kJ/m² |
| 30 | Delaware | 20.6 in | 58 °F | 78% | 4,232 kJ/m² |
| 31 | Washington | 20.18 in | 49 °F | 79.33% | 3,467 kJ/m² |
| 32 | Maryland | 19.7 in | 57.5 °F | 77% | 4,267 kJ/m² |
| 33 | Missouri | 18.55 in | 57 °F | 82.25% | 4,545 kJ/m² |
| 34 | Kentucky | 16.35 in | 58.1 °F | 81% | 4,383 kJ/m² |
| 35 | New Mexico | 13.73 in | 56.2 °F | 57.33% | 5,642 kJ/m² |
| 36 | Virginia | 13.12 in | 58 °F | 78.6% | 4,354 kJ/m² |
| 37 | Oklahoma | 8.9 in | 62.8 °F | 80.5% | 4,912 kJ/m² |
| 38 | Oregon | 8.82 in | 49.9 °F | 78% | 3,830 kJ/m² |
| 39 | Tennessee | 7.92 in | 60.1 °F | 83.8% | 4,486 kJ/m² |
| 40 | North Carolina | 5.88 in | 61.7 °F | 82.83% | 4,466 kJ/m² |
| 41 | Arkansas | 4.95 in | 62.8 °F | 84.5% | 4,724 kJ/m² |
| 42 | South Carolina | 3.4 in | 65.4 °F | 82.5% | 4,624 kJ/m² |
| 43 | Texas | 2.88 in | 68 °F | 79.83% | 5,137 kJ/m² |
| 44 | Alabama | 1.5 in | 65.4 °F | 85.75% | 4,660 kJ/m² |
| 45 | Mississippi | 1.3 in | 66.1 °F | 88.67% | 4,693 kJ/m² |
| 46 | Georgia | 1.13 in | 66.2 °F | 84.83% | 4,661 kJ/m² |
| 47 | California | 0.88 in | 61.7 °F | 67.77% | 5,050 kJ/m² |
| 48 | Louisiana | 0.48 in | 68.5 °F | 88.25% | 4,725 kJ/m² |
| 49 | Florida | 0.01 in | 73.4 °F | 85.58% | 4,859 kJ/m² |
| 50 | Hawaii | 0 in | 77.5% |
Snowiest States
The United States of America is home to some of the snowiest places on the planet – its ten snowiest states being New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Alaska, Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Utah, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. The snowiest state of all is New Hampshire, which gets an average of 174.35 inches of snow each year. This is followed by Maine, which gets 92 inches annually and Vermont, with 80.2 inches. Alaska and Wyoming come next, with 79.6 and 77.33 inches respectively. Michigan also makes it into the top five snowiest states in the US, with 70.38 inches falling yearly in certain areas of the state. New York follows closely behind at 61.21 inches per year, before Utah and Minnesota come in with 58.2 and 57.76 inches respectively. Finally, Massachusetts rounds off this ranking list with a total average snowfall amounting to 57.67 inches each year.
Snowiest States in the US
1. New Hampshire – 174.35 inches
2. Maine – 92 inches
3. Vermont – 80.2 inches
4. Alaska – 79.6 inches
5. Wyoming – 77.33 inches
6. Michigan – 70.38 inches
7. New York – 61.21 inches
8. Utah – 58.2 inches
9. Minnesota – 57.76 inches
10. Massachusetts – 57.67 inches
Snowiest State in the US
New Hampshire is the snowiest state in the US and boasts an average annual snowfall of 174.35 inches. This makes it the perfect location for snow-lovers, winter sports enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers alike to experience all that winter has to offer. The White Mountains region of New Hampshire is known for getting particularly high levels of snow with totals reaching up to 260 inches in a single season. This area also provides some of the best skiing and snowmobiling opportunities around due to its terrain and elevation. With so much powdery white stuff falling from the skies, New Hampshire offers plenty of opportunities for people to get out and enjoy winter activities such as sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling and more. In fact, New Hampshire is known for having some of the best ski slopes in the country.
Average Annual Snowfall by State
Alabama
Average Annual Snowfall
1.5 in
Ranked in the US
#44
65.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#6
85.75%
Ranked in the US
#48
Average Annual Sunlight
4,660 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#16
Alaska
Average Annual Snowfall
79.6 in
Ranked in the US
#4
30.7 °F
Ranked in the US
#49
Ranked in the US
#24
Arizona
Average Annual Snowfall
29.53 in
Ranked in the US
#25
62.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#8
52.25%
Ranked in the US
#1
Average Annual Sunlight
5,755 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#1
Arkansas
Average Annual Snowfall
4.95 in
Ranked in the US
#41
62.8 °F
Ranked in the US
#9
84.5%
Ranked in the US
#45
Average Annual Sunlight
4,724 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#12
California
Average Annual Snowfall
0.88 in
Ranked in the US
#47
61.7 °F
Ranked in the US
#11
67.77%
Ranked in the US
#8
Average Annual Sunlight
5,050 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#5
Colorado
Average Annual Snowfall
36 in
Ranked in the US
#20
47.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#37
59.2%
Ranked in the US
#4
Average Annual Sunlight
4,960 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#6
Connecticut
Average Annual Snowfall
38.85 in
Ranked in the US
#18
52.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#28
75.5%
Ranked in the US
#12
Average Annual Sunlight
3,988 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#38
Delaware
Average Annual Snowfall
20.6 in
Ranked in the US
#30
58 °F
Ranked in the US
#15
Ranked in the US
#18
Average Annual Sunlight
4,232 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#31
Florida
Average Annual Snowfall
0.01 in
Ranked in the US
#49
73.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#1
85.58%
Ranked in the US
#47
Average Annual Sunlight
4,859 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#10
Georgia
Average Annual Snowfall
1.13 in
Ranked in the US
#46
66.2 °F
Ranked in the US
#4
84.83%
Ranked in the US
#46
Average Annual Sunlight
4,661 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#15
Hawaii
Average Annual Snowfall
0 in
Ranked in the US
#50
77.5%
Ranked in the US
#17
Idaho
Average Annual Snowfall
25.17 in
Ranked in the US
#27
45.3 °F
Ranked in the US
#42
Ranked in the US
#7
Average Annual Sunlight
4,251 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#30
Illinois
Average Annual Snowfall
31.12 in
Ranked in the US
#24
54 °F
Ranked in the US
#22
Ranked in the US
#35
Average Annual Sunlight
4,380 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#23
Indiana
Average Annual Snowfall
33.25 in
Ranked in the US
#22
54 °F
Ranked in the US
#23
Ranked in the US
#36
Average Annual Sunlight
4,318 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#27
Iowa
Average Annual Snowfall
36.17 in
Ranked in the US
#19
49.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#33
82.5%
Ranked in the US
#40
Average Annual Sunlight
4,331 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#26
Kansas
Average Annual Snowfall
21.48 in
Ranked in the US
#29
57.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#18
78.6%
Ranked in the US
#22
Average Annual Sunlight
4,890 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#8
Kentucky
Average Annual Snowfall
16.35 in
Ranked in the US
#34
58.1 °F
Ranked in the US
#14
Ranked in the US
#31
Average Annual Sunlight
4,383 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#22
Louisiana
Average Annual Snowfall
0.48 in
Ranked in the US
#48
68.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#2
88.25%
Ranked in the US
#49
Average Annual Sunlight
4,725 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#11
Maine
Average Annual Snowfall
92 in
Ranked in the US
#2
44.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#44
78.5%
Ranked in the US
#21
Average Annual Sunlight
3,815 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#48
Maryland
Average Annual Snowfall
19.7 in
Ranked in the US
#32
57.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#17
Ranked in the US
#16
Average Annual Sunlight
4,267 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#29
Massachusetts
Average Annual Snowfall
57.67 in
Ranked in the US
#10
51.8 °F
Ranked in the US
#30
74.67%
Ranked in the US
#10
Average Annual Sunlight
3,944 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#40
Michigan
Average Annual Snowfall
70.38 in
Ranked in the US
#6
46.7 °F
Ranked in the US
#40
82.38%
Ranked in the US
#39
Average Annual Sunlight
4,018 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#36
Minnesota
Average Annual Snowfall
57.76 in
Ranked in the US
#9
42.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#47
82.2%
Ranked in the US
#37
Average Annual Sunlight
3,968 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#39
Mississippi
Average Annual Snowfall
1.3 in
Ranked in the US
#45
66.1 °F
Ranked in the US
#5
88.67%
Ranked in the US
#50
Average Annual Sunlight
4,693 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#13
Missouri
Average Annual Snowfall
18.55 in
Ranked in the US
#33
57 °F
Ranked in the US
#19
82.25%
Ranked in the US
#38
Average Annual Sunlight
4,545 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#18
Montana
Average Annual Snowfall
49.81 in
Ranked in the US
#11
44.6 °F
Ranked in the US
#45
69.71%
Ranked in the US
#9
Average Annual Sunlight
3,847 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#45
Nebraska
Average Annual Snowfall
31.19 in
Ranked in the US
#23
52 °F
Ranked in the US
#29
79.86%
Ranked in the US
#28
Average Annual Sunlight
4,685 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#14
Nevada
Average Annual Snowfall
27.92 in
Ranked in the US
#26
53.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#27
56.6%
Ranked in the US
#2
Average Annual Sunlight
5,296 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#3
New Hampshire
Average Annual Snowfall
174.35 in
Ranked in the US
#1
46.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#39
Ranked in the US
#29
Average Annual Sunlight
3,891 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#44
New Jersey
Average Annual Snowfall
23.9 in
Ranked in the US
#28
56 °F
Ranked in the US
#21
Ranked in the US
#13
Average Annual Sunlight
4,056 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#34
New Mexico
Average Annual Snowfall
13.73 in
Ranked in the US
#35
56.2 °F
Ranked in the US
#20
57.33%
Ranked in the US
#3
Average Annual Sunlight
5,642 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#2
New York
Average Annual Snowfall
61.21 in
Ranked in the US
#7
48.2 °F
Ranked in the US
#36
76.44%
Ranked in the US
#15
Average Annual Sunlight
3,904 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#43
North Carolina
Average Annual Snowfall
5.88 in
Ranked in the US
#40
61.7 °F
Ranked in the US
#12
82.83%
Ranked in the US
#42
Average Annual Sunlight
4,466 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#21
North Dakota
Average Annual Snowfall
43.4 in
Ranked in the US
#14
42.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#48
81.5%
Ranked in the US
#33
Average Annual Sunlight
3,925 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#42
Ohio
Average Annual Snowfall
40.4 in
Ranked in the US
#16
53.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#25
81.13%
Ranked in the US
#32
Average Annual Sunlight
4,139 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#33
Oklahoma
Average Annual Snowfall
8.9 in
Ranked in the US
#37
62.8 °F
Ranked in the US
#10
80.5%
Ranked in the US
#30
Average Annual Sunlight
4,912 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#7
Oregon
Average Annual Snowfall
8.82 in
Ranked in the US
#38
49.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#34
Ranked in the US
#19
Average Annual Sunlight
3,830 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#46
Pennsylvania
Average Annual Snowfall
42.24 in
Ranked in the US
#15
51.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#31
78.14%
Ranked in the US
#20
Average Annual Sunlight
3,939 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#41
Rhode Island
Average Annual Snowfall
36 in
Ranked in the US
#21
53.5 °F
Ranked in the US
#26
Ranked in the US
#11
Average Annual Sunlight
3,989 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#37
South Carolina
Average Annual Snowfall
3.4 in
Ranked in the US
#42
65.4 °F
Ranked in the US
#7
82.5%
Ranked in the US
#41
Average Annual Sunlight
4,624 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#17
South Dakota
Average Annual Snowfall
39.83 in
Ranked in the US
#17
47.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#38
79.25%
Ranked in the US
#25
Average Annual Sunlight
4,332 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#25
Tennessee
Average Annual Snowfall
7.92 in
Ranked in the US
#39
60.1 °F
Ranked in the US
#13
83.8%
Ranked in the US
#44
Average Annual Sunlight
4,486 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#19
Texas
Average Annual Snowfall
2.88 in
Ranked in the US
#43
68 °F
Ranked in the US
#3
79.83%
Ranked in the US
#27
Average Annual Sunlight
5,137 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#4
Utah
Average Annual Snowfall
58.2 in
Ranked in the US
#8
51.3 °F
Ranked in the US
#32
Ranked in the US
#5
Average Annual Sunlight
4,887 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#9
Vermont
Average Annual Snowfall
80.2 in
Ranked in the US
#3
45.7 °F
Ranked in the US
#41
Ranked in the US
#14
Average Annual Sunlight
3,826 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#47
Virginia
Average Annual Snowfall
13.12 in
Ranked in the US
#36
58 °F
Ranked in the US
#16
78.6%
Ranked in the US
#23
Average Annual Sunlight
4,354 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#24
Washington
Average Annual Snowfall
20.18 in
Ranked in the US
#31
49 °F
Ranked in the US
#35
79.33%
Ranked in the US
#26
Average Annual Sunlight
3,467 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#49
West Virginia
Average Annual Snowfall
44.17 in
Ranked in the US
#13
54 °F
Ranked in the US
#24
83.5%
Ranked in the US
#43
Average Annual Sunlight
4,146 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#32
Wisconsin
Average Annual Snowfall
46.23 in
Ranked in the US
#12
45 °F
Ranked in the US
#43
81.75%
Ranked in the US
#34
Average Annual Sunlight
4,023 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#35
Wyoming
Average Annual Snowfall
77.33 in
Ranked in the US
#5
43.9 °F
Ranked in the US
#46
63.75%
Ranked in the US
#6
Average Annual Sunlight
4,471 kJ/m²
Ranked in the US
#20
FAQs
What state gets the most snow ?
The snowiest state in the US is New Hampshire, with an average annual snowfall of 174.35 inches.
What are the snowiest states ?
The states that get the most snow are New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Alaska, Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Utah, Minnesota, and Massachusetts.
What are the top 10 snowiest states?
1. New Hampshire – 174.35 inches
2. Maine – 92 inches
3. Vermont – 80.2 inches
4. Alaska – 79.6 inches
5. Wyoming – 77.33 inches
6. Michigan – 70.38 inches
7. New York – 61.21 inches
8. Utah – 58.2 inches
9. Minnesota – 57.76 inches
10. Massachusetts – 57.67 inches
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