List of snowiest places in the United States by state

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Cars covered in Snow on Lake Shore Drive Chicago Feb 2 2011 storm

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List of Snowiest Places in the United States by State provides an overview of locations within the United States known for their significant snowfall. The United States, with its vast and varied climate, experiences a wide range of snowfall patterns, from the light dustings in the southern states to the heavy, consistent snowfall in parts of the north and mountainous regions. This list highlights the cities or areas within each state that typically receive the most snow each year, showcasing the diversity of winter weather across the country.

Overview

Snowfall in the United States is influenced by many factors including geography, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water like the Great Lakes or the Pacific Ocean. Mountainous areas, such as the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and the Cascades, as well as places near the Great Lakes, often experience heavy snowfall due to orographic lift and lake-effect snow, respectively.

List of Snowiest Places by State

Below is a list of some of the snowiest places in the United States by state. Note that snowfall can vary widely within each state, and the locations listed are typically those with the highest average annual snowfall based on historical data.

Alaska

• Valdez - Known as one of the snowiest places in the United States, Valdez receives an average of over 300 inches of snow each year, due in part to its location in a coastal fjord and the orographic effect of the surrounding Chugach Mountains.

Colorado

• Wolf Creek Pass - Situated in the San Juan Mountains, Wolf Creek Pass is known for its deep snowpack, receiving an average of about 430 inches of snow annually.

Michigan

• Houghton - Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Houghton benefits from lake-effect snow off Lake Superior, contributing to its average annual snowfall of over 200 inches.

New York

• Tug Hill Plateau - This area east of Lake Ontario is famous for its heavy lake-effect snow, with some locations receiving more than 300 inches of snow per year.

Utah

• Alta - Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, Alta is a popular ski destination that boasts an average annual snowfall of over 500 inches, making it one of the snowiest places in the state.

Factors Influencing Snowfall

Several factors contribute to the heavy snowfall experienced in these locations:

• Orographic Lift - Mountains force moist air to rise, cooling and condensing it into snow.
• Lake-Effect Snow - Cold air moving over warmer lake waters picks up moisture and dumps it as snow on the leeward shores.
• Elevation - Higher elevations tend to receive more snow due to the cooler temperatures.

Impact on Communities

The heavy snowfall in these areas can have both positive and negative impacts. It supports winter sports and tourism but also requires robust infrastructure and services to manage snow removal and ensure public safety.

See Also

• Climate of the United States
• Winter weather
• Snow
• Orographic lift
• Lake-effect snow