The 10 Snowiest Cities in the U.S. (Updated for 2025)

Winters can feel fierce for anyone, but the snowiest cities in the U.S. take it to another level. The next time you’re dreading getting the snow shovel out or scraping ice off your car, imagine getting ready to plow a foot of fresh powder and count your lucky stars. The Great Lakes and mountains across the country can create some truly frigid conditions.

Whether you’re looking to move to a city with enough snowfall for weekly sledding or want a heads-up about where your job is taking you, it’s good to know which cities typically see the most annual snowfall. Check out this list of the snowiest cities in the U.S.

Determining the Snowiest U.S. Cities 

This list of the snowiest U.S. cities was compiled based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s national climate reports on the annual average snowfall across an entire year for each city. All snowfall measurements are in inches.     

What City Gets the Most Snow in the United States? 

1. Valdez, Alaska 

Average Snowfall 325.3 inches

Valdez, Alaska, is the number one spot on the list of the snowiest U.S. cities. Located near the top of a fjord — a narrow, deep sea inlet between mountains or cliffs — in Prince William Sound, Valdez’s beauty may tempt you to consider a move or at least a visit — even if you typically prefer warm weather. 

The city offers ideal spots for taking in the Northern lights or stunningly pink and orange sunrises over the Chugach mountains. Whether you want to hike Valdez’s surrounding mountains or pick a cozy spot at a local brewery while enjoying some top-notch seafood, 

2. Syracuse, New York

Average Snowfall 127.8 inches

It may come as no surprise that three cities in Upstate New York — Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo — make the list of the snowiest cities in America. 

Upstate New York residents can thank the impact of lake effect snow for their wintry environment. In the Great Lakes region, cold air passing over the lakes’ relatively warm waters brings heavy snow, often producing 2-3 inches of fresh snow per hour.

Syracuse had a slight reprieve in the 2021 to 2022 winter season, with a total snowfall equaling 53.9 inches — a not unusual dropoff for many U.S. cities that particular season, given that it was the 18th warmest winter in 127 years. 

As most Upstaters will tell you, winter lasts much longer than December through February. Make sure you brush up on your snow shoveling skills — otherwise, you might find your car snowed into your garage in March or even April.

3. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Average Snowfall 120.1 inches

People visit Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to escape the fast city life and relax in a place surrounded by nature. That same nature is often blanketed in snow since the city’s annual snowfall is about 120 inches on average. 

This year, Sault Ste. Marie has already seen 117.9 inches of snow, which doesn’t even come close to their record-breaking snowfall in 1995 when the city saw 208.8 inches across the year.

The good news? Michigan residents manage to celebrate the heavy snowfall with events like the I-500 Snowmobile Race, which is already slated for February 7th of next year. This race is popular amongst fans nationwide and features fun-filled events the whole week leading up to the main event.     

4. Caribou, Maine

Average Snowfall 118.2 inches

While Caribou, Maine, is one of the snowiest cities in the U.S., it is also one of the best to visit, and it has tons of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. Its smaller town feel and high annual snowfall make it less crowded than other popular tourist destinations in Maine — such as Portland or Bangor — meaning it’s a great place to soak up Maine’s natural beauty with less competition. 

If you’re a fan of biking, you can hop on the Bangor and Aroostook bike trail — a 61-mile-long trail that is part of a larger interconnected system in northern Maine. If Caribou sees its typical annual snowfall of 118.2 inches, you might want to skip the biking. Luckily, though, you may see the many snowmobile clubs that use the trail during the winter season. 

5. Erie, Pennsylvania 

Average Snowfall 104.3 inches

Erie, Pennsylvania, claims its title as one of the snowiest U.S. cities. Situated along the shores of Lake Erie, the city’s proximity to the Great Lakes significantly influences its weather patterns. The prevailing westerly winds pick up moisture from the lake, and — when coupled with the cold air during winter — the result is lake effect snow. This phenomenon leads to intense and prolonged snowfall. 

Erie has already experienced 102.8 inches this 2025 season. Experts wondered if this year’s snowfall would break the city’s record. However, an intense Christmas storm in the 2017-2018 winter season pushed Erie’s snowfall up that year to an impressive 166.3 inches, making it one of Erie’s snowiest years to date. 

Erie residents are accustomed to the challenges of heavy snowfall, embracing fun events like the annual Winterfest.

6. Rochester, New York

Average Snowfall 102 inches

Rochester, New York, sits on Lake Ontario, making it prone to the same lake effects that other cities on this list — like Syracuse and Erie — also experience. Rochester has gotten 67.4 inches of snow this winter season, only a little bit less than it did the previous two years. 

Rochester is home to the most continuously inhabited stone houses in the state — some of which go back to the 17th century. If you’re a fan of historical architecture, plan to go by Rochester’s town hall to look at its well-preserved stone facade and luxurious interior. 

7. Buffalo, New York

Average Snowfall 95.4 inches

Buffalo, New York, experienced 76 inches of snow this winter season, which is about five more inches than it did the previous year. While residents may see snow in November, Buffalo’s snowfall escalates in December. This year, it reached 22 inches in December — a big jump from only 1.2 inches in November.   

Buffalo’s proximity to New York City makes it an appealing location for many people looking for more affordable housing and a lower cost of living. However, Buffalo is a great city in its own right. You can see the natural wonder of Niagara Falls or tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Darwin Martin House. With plenty of hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Buffalo is still worth a visit — snowfall aside. 

8. Duluth, Minnesota

Average Snowfall 90.2 inches

Duluth has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the U.S. cities with the most snowfall. Nestled on the western tip of Lake Superior, Duluth experiences a unique convergence of cold air masses over the lake, resulting in substantial snowfall during the winter season.

The city’s location along the “snow belt” ensures a consistent supply of moisture-laden air, transforming into heavy snowfall when met with icy temperatures. Snow drapes over the iconic lift bridge, Lake Superior’s frozen shores and the hills, creating a picture-perfect winter landscape. 

The 2022-23 winter was a record-breaking season, with 140.1 inches of snow, far beating the previous record of 135.4 inches in the 199501996 winter season. Fortunately, residents embrace the cold months with a resilient spirit, participating in sports like ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The Bentleyville Tour of Lights — featuring a dazzling display of holiday lights — is an annually anticipated event. 

Lake lovers travel to Duluth and even move there every year. The city sits on the edge of the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. There are endless opportunities for boating, paddleboarding, fishing, camping and hiking.

9. Flagstaff, Arizona

Average Snowfall 90.1 inches

Flagstaff, Arizona, is renowned for its high-altitude location and the remarkable amount of snowfall it receives, making it a distinctive winter destination in the southwestern United States. Situated at an elevation of over 6,900 feet amid the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff’s location is the main reason for its snowy climate. 

In 2023, the town received 67.7 inches of snow, much less than previous winters.The city’s elevated position and proximity to the Colorado Plateau results in cold temperatures and substantial snow accumulation during winter. 

You can expect the first snowfall as early as October, transforming Flagstaff into a winter wonderland and providing residents and visitors with opportunities for outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowshoeing. The snow-covered charm offers a unique and unexpected experience in a state better known for its warm desert climate.

10. Juneau, Alaska

Average Snowfall 87.6 inches

A list of the snowiest U.S. cities isn’t complete without at least one Alaskan location, and — in this case — two Alaskan cities make it onto the list of the top 10 snowiest cities in America. 

Juneau, Alaska, stands out as one of the snowiest cities in the U.S., showcasing its picturesque landscape adorned in a winter wonderland for a large portion of the year. 

Snowfall typically begins in early November, with January being Juneau’s snowiest month. The snowiest documented winter season was November through May 1964-1965, when the city saw a massive 194.3 inches of snowfall. Juneau’s location is the reason for the substantial snowfall. Surrounded by mountains and the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean, Juneau experiences a maritime climate. Moisture-laden air from the ocean meets the colder temperatures over the city, resulting in consistent and heavy snowfall through the winter months.

It has some of the best hiking in the country, plus tons of local breweries and opportunities to go whale watching. If you stay there long-term, you’ll have to shovel some heavy snow off your property every year, but many residents feel that it’s a fair trade for the surrounding beauty.

Average Annual Snow Fall by U.S. City 

Ranking	City	Average annual snowfall in inches
1	Valdez, AK	325.3
2	Syracuse, NY	127.8
3	Sault Ste. Marie, MI	120.1
4	Caribou, ME	118.2
5	Erie, PA	104.3
6	Rochester, NY	102
7	Buffalo, NY	95.4
8	Duluth, MN	90.2
9	Flagstaff, AZ	90.1
10	Juneau, AK	87.6

Shifting Snowfall Patterns

Climate change impacts weather patterns. However, this doesn’t always mean you’ll experience warmer temperatures wherever you go. Some cities’ snowfall levels have been trending upward, while others are seeing fewer snow days and snowy holiday seasons. Whether or not particular cities are experiencing more or less than usual, winter is warming up faster than other seasons, and experts predict this warming will only continue.

Warmer temperatures often result in different types of precipitation. For instance, instead of snow, you may get rain. Changes in precipitation type and average snowfall affect everything from fish spawning cycles to drinking water and irrigation processes for human populations.

Which of the Snowiest Cities in the U.S. Would You Visit?

The cities that top this list are predominantly located on the shores of the Great Lakes, in the far North, or areas with high elevations. While over 80 inches of snow every year may sound scary, most residents who live in these snowy cities will tell you it’s possible to adjust to a life of shoveling, snow days and snow-safe driving.

Living in one of the snowiest cities in the U.S. may require some guts, but the trade-off is worth it. In return, you get icy beauty, a long skiing season and holidays that typically look picture-perfect. Could you endure it?

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Original Publish Date: 8/4/2019 – Update: 4/1/2025