NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
U.S. Snowfall History & Climate Records
Historical climate averages, 30-year normal baselines, and historic single-season snowfall records for the snowiest metropolitan areas in the United States.
Distinction Between Climate Averages and Live Weather Predictions:
A 30-year historical average (e.g. Buffalo averaging 95.4 inches per winter) reflects long-term atmospheric climate normals. It cannot and should not be used as a guarantee for any specific upcoming day or season. A strong El Niño or La Niña pattern can cause individual winter totals to deviate by 40% to 60% from the long-term norm.
| City / State | Climate Zone | Primary Mechanism | 30-Yr Average | Record Season | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | Great Lakes / Humid Continental | Lake Effect Snow (Lake Erie) | 95.4 in. | 199.4 in.(1976-1977) | Forecast |
| Syracuse, NY | Great Lakes / Upstate Snowbelt | Lake Effect Snow (Lake Ontario) | 127.8 in. | 192.1 in.(1992-1993) | Forecast |
| Rochester, NY | Great Lakes Snowbelt | Lake Effect & Nor’easters | 102 in. | 161.7 in.(1959-1960) | Forecast |
| Erie, PA | Lake Erie Snowbelt | Lake Effect Snow | 104.3 in. | 198.5 in.(2017-2018) | Forecast |
| Burlington, VT | Northern New England / Champlain Valley | Alberta Clippers & Nor’easters | 87.2 in. | 145.4 in.(2010-2011) | Forecast |
| Minneapolis, MN | Upper Midwest Continental | Continental Blizzards & Extreme Windchill | 51.3 in. | 98.6 in.(1983-1984) | Forecast |
| Duluth, MN | Lake Superior Basin | Lake Superior Snow & Arctic Air | 90.2 in. | 140.1 in.(2022-2023) | Forecast |
| Denver, CO | Semi-Arid High Plains | Upslope Snowstorms | 56.5 in. | 118.7 in.(1908-1909) | Forecast |
| Boulder, CO | Front Range Foothills | Orographic Upslope Snow | 88.3 in. | 152 in.(2019-2020) | Forecast |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Great Salt Lake Basin | Great Salt Lake Effect & Pacific Fronts | 56.2 in. | 117.3 in.(1951-1952) | Forecast |
| Chicago, IL | Midwestern Continental | Lake Michigan Enhancement & Alberta Clippers | 38.4 in. | 89.7 in.(1978-1979) | Forecast |
| Boston, MA | Coastal New England | Coastal Nor’easters & Ocean Effect | 49.2 in. | 110.6 in.(2014-2015) | Forecast |
| Cleveland, OH | Lake Erie Primary Snowbelt | Lake Effect Snow | 63.8 in. | 117.9 in.(2004-2005) | Forecast |
| Anchorage, AK | Subarctic Maritime | Gulf of Alaska Moisture & Arctic Air | 77.9 in. | 134.5 in.(2011-2012) | Forecast |
| New York, NY | Humid Subtropical / Coastal Transition | Mid-Atlantic Nor’easters | 29.8 in. | 75.6 in.(1995-1996) | Forecast |
| Philadelphia, PA | Mid-Atlantic Transition | Nor’easters & Miller A Storms | 23.1 in. | 78.7 in.(2009-2010) | Forecast |
| Washington, DC | Mid-Atlantic Humid Subtropical | Atlantic Coastal Lows | 13.7 in. | 56.1 in.(2009-2010) | Forecast |
| Atlanta, GA | Southeastern Humid Subtropical | Gulf Lows & Sleet/Freezing Rain | 2.2 in. | 10.9 in.(1935-1936) | Forecast |