America’s Snowiest Winter Wonderlands
Where is America’s snowiest winter wonderlands? As it moves into the colder months, people are thinking about the first (or next) snow of the season. Some people dread this time of the year because they can’t get out of the house or it’s just plain miserable walking outside when the temperatures are dipping into the single digits. We didn’t make this slideshow for those people!
Instead, this slideshow is designed for people that absolutely adore winter weather. These are the people that look forward to snow when they see it on the forecast. They sit in anticipation, watching as the winter storm moves in. Unfortunately, not every winter lover gets to have the same amount of snowfall. Some states don’t really get anything at all, so what are you to do?
Visit another place! This gives you the chance to enjoy the powdery stuff without having to deal with anything else. The first place most of us think when it comes to snow is “Colorado,” because the state is super fun, frankly. Interestingly enough, there are also plenty of other places that have amazing winter wonderlands! You don’t need to focus on the same state you’ve seen a million times. Instead, try to give one of these flurry states a shot.
Keep in mind that every state will have a unique type of weather. Don’t expect the powder to be exactly the same. Although, we think that experiencing a new type of powdery precipitation is half the fun.
Which city is your favorite?
10. South Bend, Indiana
Average Annual Snowfall: 60 inches
Just south of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend finds itself in the middle of picturesque winters. While snow normally begins in late October, January is almost always the snowiest month in this Indiana town. The city experiences an average of 44 snowy days each year.
(image via IU South Bend)
9. Cleveland, Ohio
Average Annual Snowfall: 60.3 inches
Apart from being the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland is known for its snowy winters. Because the town is spread out, not every neighborhood experiences the same conditions. For example, the east side of the city normally receives much more snow than the west side, giving rise to the eastern side's nickname of “the Snow Belt.”
8. Duluth, Minnesota
Average Annual Snowfall: 62.7 inches
Duluth experiences an influx of precipitation all year long, sometimes resulting in serious flooding. So in winter, locals know to expect snow. From late November to late March, the town earns its nickname (“The Air-Conditioned City”) with temperatures falling to or below 0°F on an average of 41 nights.
(image via travelingotter, CC)
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Average Annual Snowfall: 65.8 inches
Grand Rapids has a humid continental climate, giving it hot, muggy summers and chilling, snowy winters with very little space in between for autumn or spring. Combined with the winds that blow off Lake Michigan, the climate becomes a breeding ground for blankets of snow each year.
6. Utica, New York
Average Annual Snowfall: 77.5 inches
Receiving lake-effect snow from both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Utica plummets to colder temperatures than most other Great Lakes cities. The people of Utica have figured out a way to profit from their winter weather. For years, the have attracted travelers by offering snow tubing. Visitors bring their families and slide down the frozen hills.
(image via Hitesh Italiya)
5. Flagstaff, Arizona
Average Annual Snowfall: 81.7 inches
If you aren’t from the American Southwest, then the addition of this city might surprise you. However, Flagstaff is placed between Mount Elden and Humphreys Peak, the highest point in the state. This high elevation provides this Arizona town with blankets of snow each winter.
(image via billmorrow, CC)
4. Buffalo, New York
Average Annual Snowfall: 82.9 inches
If you’ve never traveled to Buffalo, then you probably only hear about it in winter when your aunt posts pictures online of buildings covered in snow. Well into July of this year, there was still a 12-foot-tall pile of snow that had yet to melt. If you are looking for a summer ski destination, look no further.
(image via quintanomedia, CC)
3. Rochester, New York
Average Annual Snowfall: 87.8 inches
By now, you’ve probably realized that upstate New York is not the place to live if you don’t like snow. Rochester is one of five towns in the state which have made a competition out of the season. Each year, the town vies for the Golden Snowball, awarded to whoever receives the most snowfall.
(image via Luke McKernan, CC)
2. Erie, Pennsylvania
Average Annual Snowfall: 89 inches
For many people who grew up in the 90s, Erie is known as being the setting for That Thing You Do. Come winter, it gets the brunt of much of the harsh winter weather blowing off the lake which gives the town its name. There are, however, stretches during the season which cause much of the snow to melt.
(image via Glass House Inn)
1. Syracuse, New York
Average Annual Snowfall: 110 inches
It’s not even close. With an average snowfall 20 inches greater than the nearest competitor, Syracuse takes the crown for the American city with the most snow. As you would imagine, the citizens of the town know how to handle themselves even in severe weather. Business doesn’t shut down for just a light dusting.
