If you love snow, you might wonder where it snows the most in the US. We have compiled a list of the places that have experienced the most extreme snowfalls ever recorded in the country, based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. These are the snowstorms that made history with their incredible amounts of snow. Can you imagine getting more than 6 feet of snow in a single day?
Most Snowfall in the US in One Day
The town of Silver Lake, Colorado, holds the record for the most snowfall in the US in one day. On April 15, 1921, it was covered by 6.3 feet or 76 inches of snow in only 24 hours! That’s the most snow ever recorded in the country in a single day!
Most Snowfall in the US in 2 Days
The record for the most snowfall in the US in two days belongs to Thompson Pass, Alaska. This place is known as the snowiest in Alaska, and it proved it on December 30, 1955, when it received 120.6 inches or 10.05 feet of snow in 48 hours!
Record Snowfall in the US in 3 Days
The record for the most snowfall in the US in three days also goes to Thompson Pass, Alaska. During the same winter storm of 1955, it accumulated an additional 27 inches of snow in the next 24 hours, bringing the total snowfall in 72 hours to 147 inches or 12.25 feet!
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Comparing Record Breaking Snowfall to the Average Height of an American Male
To put these numbers in perspective, let’s compare them to the average height of an American male. According to the CDC, the average height of a male in the US is 5 feet 9 inches. That means that the most snowfall in the US in one day was half a foot taller than the average male! How would you like to dig your way out of that?
Top 20 Record Snowstorms in the United States
Colorado
The record snowfall in Colorado was on April 15, 1921, Silver Lake, Colorado. It set the record for the most snowfall in the state. The town received 6.3 feet or 76 inches of snow in a single day!
California
The state of California has also seen its share of heavy snowfall. The most snowfall ever recorded in California was on January 14, 1952, in Camptonville. This town got 6.25 feet or 75 inches of snow in one day, setting a record for the state.
Washington
The state of Washington has also experienced some impressive snowstorms. The most snowfall ever recorded in Washington was on Thanksgiving weekend, November 26, 1955, in Paradise. This place got 70 inches or 5.83 feet of snow in one day, setting a record for the state.
Alaska
The record snowfall in Alaska was on December 29, 1955. In Thompson Pass, Alaska it snowed 62 inches or 5.16 feet of snow in one day! In fact, that December 29-30, 1955 snowstorm held the US record for the most snow in a 48 hour period, receiving 120.6 inches or 10.05 feet of snow!
Idaho
The most snowfall ever recorded in Idaho was on January 22, 1982, when Tensed got 60 inches or 5 feet of snow in 24 hours.
Oregon
Riverside got buried in 60 inches of snow on April 8, 2009.
South Dakota
The most snowfall ever recorded in South Dakota was on March 14, 1973, when Lead got 52 inches or 4.3 feet of snow in 24 hours.
Montana
The most snowfall ever recorded in Montana was on March 9, 2006, when Lincoln got 51.8 inches or 4.31 feet of snow in 24 hours.
New York
The most snowfall ever recorded in New York was on December 1, 1966, when Camden got 50 inches or 4.16 feet of snow in 24 hours.
New Hampshire
The most snowfall ever recorded in New Hampshire was on February 25, 1969, when Coos County got 49.3 inches or 4.1 feet of snow in 24 hours.
Wyoming
The most snowfall ever recorded in Wyoming was on March 21, 1924, when Johnson County got 49 inches or 4.08 feet of snow in 24 hours.
Vermont
Jay Peak got a record 42 inches of snow on February 5, 1995.
Arizona
Flagstaff got 42 inches of snow in 24 hours on January 21, 2010.
Maine
Eustis got 41.8 inches of snow on December 22, 2008.
Pennsylvania
Lakeville got a whopping 41 inches of snow on February 16, 1958.
Nevada
Dagget Pass got 46 inches of snow on March 3, 2024.
New Mexico
Kelly Ranch received 41 inches of snowfall on February 3, 1964.
Michigan
Kearsarge got 38 inches of snow on December 26, 2022.
West Virginia
Coopers Rock got 37 inches of snow on February 21, 2003.
Virginia
Round Hill got a whopping 36.6 inches of snow on January 24, 2016.
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