TOP 7 snowiest cities in the US: No.1 reaches over 100 inches

Although 50 US states experience at least a little snow now and then, some places receive substantial amounts of snow each year. What are the snowiest cities in the US? In this post, look at the top 7 US cities with the highest average annual snowfall. 

List of the snowiest cities in the US

Measure the snowiest cities in the US

Every winter, certain U.S. cities stand out for their impressive snowfall, drawing in those who love snowy weather. 

Based on the most recent 30-year NOAA climate averages (1991–2020), we've compiled seven cities ranked as the snowiest in the country. 

This focus on larger cities with populations over 50,000 excludes smaller but snowy locations like Bozeman, Burlington, and Marquette, which also see significant winter totals.

Among major cities, places such as Buffalo, Rochester, Flagstaff, Boulder, and Anchorage regularly record more than 70–100 inches of snow each year. 

For comparison, the snowiest spot in the entire U.S. is Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, which averages a staggering 463.1 inches of snow annually. 

These numbers highlight how geography and elevation shape the snowiest places across the nation.

Snowiest cities in the US from 1991-2020 ( source: Foxweather.com)

TOP 7 snowiest cities in the US

When winter takes hold, some U.S. cities transform into true snow capitals, piling up impressive totals year after year. 

Here’s a look at the top seven snowiest cities in the United States, based on the latest 30-year climate averages.

Syracuse, New York

• Average annual snowfall: 127.8 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 192.1 inches (1992-93)

Syracuse, located in central New York State near Lake Ontario, is officially the snowiest city in the United States. 

On average, Syracuse receives 127.8 inches of snow each year, with its record-breaking winter in 1992–93 bringing 192.1 inches. 

The city’s extreme snowfall is primarily caused by lake-effect snow, as cold air sweeps across the warmer waters of Lake Ontario, producing frequent and heavy snowstorms. 

Sometimes, these lake-effect systems stall over the region, leading to snowstorms that can bury the city in several feet of snow within a single day. 

Because of this, Upstate New York is recognized worldwide for some of the heaviest snowfall on Earth, sparking the annual Golden Snowball Award competition among major Upstate cities. 

Syracuse has dominated the contest since 1951, though Buffalo currently holds the trophy after winning the past three years. 

The city also experienced its most extreme storm during the 1993 “Storm of the Century,” when 42.9 inches of snow fell in just two days.

Syracuse wins the Golden Snowball award

Erie, Pennsylvania

• Average seasonal snowfall: 104.3 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 166.3 inches (2017-18)

Erie, located on the southern shore of Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania, ranks as one of the snowiest cities in the United States. 

The city averages 104.3 inches of snow each season, with a record 166.3 inches set in the winter of 2017–18. 

Most of Erie’s snow comes from lake-effect storms, as cold air moves across Lake Erie and fuels heavy snow bands. 

While its snowfall is generally lighter than cities like Syracuse due to less lake exposure, Erie is no stranger to extreme events. 

During a recent holiday storm, the city was buried under more than five feet of snow in just a few days.

Erie, Pennsylvania, is one of the snowiest cities in the US

Rochester, New York

• Average annual snowfall: 102 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 151.7 inches (1959)

Rochester is third on our toplist. The city records an average annual snowfall of 102 inches, with its snowiest season on record reaching 151.7 inches in 1959. 

As one of the snowbelt cities, Rochester receives much of this heavy snow from lake-effect storms off Lake Ontario.

The cold Arctic air passes over the warmer lake waters and produces frequent and intense snowfalls. 

Besides, Rochester’s location within the Great Lakes snowbelt ensures that winters are consistently long, snowy, and among the harshest in the country.

Rochester ranks 3rd in the list of the snowiest cities in the US

Buffalo, New York

• Average seasonal snowfall: 95.4 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 199.4 inches (1976-77)

Buffalo sits at the eastern end of Lake Erie, making it highly vulnerable to lake-effect snow. 

On average, Buffalo receives 95.4 inches of snow each season.

In the past, Buffalo experienced its record winter in 1976–77 with an incredible 199.4 inches.

While the city typically sees slightly less snowfall than nearby Rochester and Syracuse, Buffalo’s location directly in the snowbelt ensures frequent and sometimes extreme storms.

The snowy city Buffalo, NewYork

Boulder, Colorado

• Average seasonal snowfall: 92.8 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 152.0 inches (2019-20)

Boulder, Colorado, located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, ranks among the top seven snowiest cities in the United States. 

The city averages 92.8 inches of snow annually due to its elevation of 5,430 feet and unique position near the steep Flatirons. 

Boulder’s snowfall is driven by upslope flow, where moisture-laden air rises quickly over the Rockies and condenses into heavy snow, especially during strong winter storm systems and El Niño years. 

Boulder receives more than twice the snowfall of nearby Denver. However, winters remain relatively mild, with frequent sunshine and average temperatures near 47°F. As a result, snow also melts quickly. 

This combination of high elevation, mountain weather systems, and long snow seasons makes Boulder a standout among America’s snowiest cities.

Boulder was the snowiest city in the country

Flagstaff, Arizona

• Average seasonal snowfall: 90.1 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 153.9 inches (1948-49)

Flagstaff is the sixth-snowiest city in the United States, receiving an average of 90.1 inches of snow each year. 

The city receives heavy snowfall due to its high elevation (6,903 feet above sea level). Moisture from the Pacific Ocean combines with cold mountain air to fuel frequent winter storms, often blanketing the city in deep snow. 

Flagstaff’s snowiest season on record came in 1948–49, with an impressive 153.9 inches. 

Surrounded by desert, mountains, and pine forests, Flagstaff stands out as a unique winter hotspot in the Southwest.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Anchorage, Alaska

• Average seasonal snowfall: 77.9 inches

• Record seasonal snowfall: 134.5 inches (2011-12)

Anchorage ranks among the top snowiest cities in America, averaging 77.9 inches of snow per year. 

Its location along the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountain ranges means that many storms lose much of their snow before reaching the city, yet Anchorage still records impressive totals. 

The city’s snowiest winter came in 2011–12, when 134.5 inches fell, while the 2023–24 season nearly broke that record with 133.3 inches. 

With its long, cold winters, average winter temperature of about 19 degrees, and stunning mountain backdrops, Anchorage remains a standout destination for snow lovers and one of the snowiest urban areas in the country.

Anchorage, Alaska is one of the snowiest cities in the US

What is the snowiest place in the United States?

While America’s snowiest cities see impressive totals each year, the snowiest place in the United States is actually Mount Washington, New Hampshire. 

The weather station in Mount Washington records an average of 283.5 inches of snow annually, more than double most of the snowiest cities. 

This extreme snowfall is driven by 2 factors:

• Mountain’s high prominence: It is located at the intersection of two major storm tracks. The north-south alignment of the Presidential Range funnels storms directly over the peak. 

• The windiest place: Mount Washington is also known as the windiest place in the U.S. and the second-windiest location in the world. Therefore, it becomes one of the most extreme weather environments on Earth.

A truck is covered with ice and snow at Mount Washington

The final word

The snowiest cities in the US span across different regions, from the Great Lakes to the Rocky Mountains and even the high deserts of the Southwest. Each city earns its snowy reputation through unique weather patterns, whether it’s powerful lake-effect storms, mountain-driven systems, or Pacific-fed moisture. Despite their differences, they all share one defining feature—long, snowy winters that make them stand out as America’s true snow capitals.