Snow is a magical phenomenon that blankets homes in a peaceful white layer, signaling the start of the holiday season. While some people prefer sunny weather or rainy days, there’s something enchanting about snowfall.
Each year, different cities across the U.S. transform into winter wonderlands, with some receiving more snow than others. If you’re considering a move and love snowy winters, Redfin has compiled a list of the snowiest cities in the U.S. to help you make an informed decision.
How we determine the snowiest cities
Our list focuses on cities with the highest average seasonal snowfall totals. We exclude cities with lower average totals but more snowfall days.
Read on to discover the top snowiest cities in the U.S. with populations of 75,000 or more.
What are the snowiest cities in the U.S.?
1. Syracuse, New York
- Average annual snowfall: 127.8 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 192.1 inches (1992-93)
The snowiest city in the U.S. is Syracuse, NY. Syracuse is also the rainiest and one of the cloudiest cities in the country.
Syracuse experiences heavy lake-effect snowstorms due to its proximity to Lake Ontario. These snowstorms can cover the city in feet of snow within a day, making Upstate New York known for some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. The city competes for the Golden Snowball Award, given to the city with the most snowfall each year.
The largest snowstorm in Syracuse’s history occurred during the Storm of the Century in 1993, dropping 42.9 inches of snow in two days.
Syracuse homes for sale | Syracuse houses for rent | Syracuse apartments for rent
2. Erie, Pennsylvania
- Average seasonal snowfall: 104.3 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 166.3 inches (2017-18)
The second snowiest city on our list is Erie, PA. Erie experiences lake-effect snowstorms off Lake Erie, with occasional heavy snowfall, like the over five feet of snow during the holidays due to a lake effect storm.
Erie homes for sale | Erie houses for rent | Erie apartments for rent
3. Rochester, New York
- Average seasonal snowfall: 102 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 161.7 inches (1959-60)
Rochester, NY, is the third snowiest city in the U.S. thanks to lake-effect snow from Lake Ontario. The city experiences frequent light and moderate snowfall, with occasional strong storms.
The most intense snowstorm in Rochester’s history occurred in 1900, dropping 43.5 inches of snow over 63 straight hours.
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4. Buffalo, New York
- Average seasonal snowfall: 95.4 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 199.4 inches (1976-77)
Buffalo, NY, is the fourth snowiest city in the U.S. with intense lake effect snowstorms leading to blizzards and rapid snow accumulation.
The city is known for experiencing especially intense and narrow snow bands, resulting in significant snowfall in a short amount of time.
Buffalo homes for sale | Buffalo houses for rent | Buffalo apartments for rent
5. Boulder, CO
- Average seasonal snowfall: 92.8 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 152.0 inches (2019-20)
Boulder, CO, is the fifth snowiest city in the U.S. with snowy winters due to its elevation and location near the Rocky Mountains.
Boulder benefits from upslope flow, where moisture rises over the Rockies and condenses into snow during the winter months.
Boulder homes for sale | Boulder houses for rent | Boulder apartments for rent
6. Duluth, Minnesota
- Average seasonal snowfall: 90.2 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 140.1 inches (2022-23)
The sixth snowiest city in the U.S. is Duluth, MN, known for its long winter and extremely cold temperatures.
Duluth receives snow from lake effect precipitation from Lake Superior, resulting in a snowy and cold city environment.
Duluth homes for sale | Duluth houses for rent | Duluth apartments for rent
7. Flagstaff, Arizona
- Average seasonal snowfall: 90.1 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 153.9 inches (1948-49)
Flagstaff, AZ, ranks as the seventh snowiest city in the U.S., receiving over seven feet of snow annually.
The city’s high elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean result in significant snowfall each year.
Flagstaff homes for sale | Flagstaff houses for rent | Flagstaff apartments for rent
8. Anchorage, Alaska
- Average seasonal snowfall: 77.9 inches
- Record seasonal snowfall: 134.5 inches (2011-12)
Anchorage, AK, is the eighth snowiest city in the U.S., despite being surrounded by tall mountains and fjords that deter some Pacific storms from reaching the city.
The city still receives significant snowfall and offers stunning views year-round.