The greatest cold wave in the U.S. occurred in 1899, of which records still stand for minimum temperature recorded. Explore which cities hold the record for snowfall.
Snowfall Records for U.S.
It is a fact that every state in the U.S. has experienced snowfall. The heaviest snowfall season on record came during the winter of 1998-99, at Mt. Baker in Washington. The Mt. Baker station recorded 1,140 inches of snow in a single winter season.
Snowiest Cities in the U.S. (over 10,000 in population) - annual snowfall
1. Truckee, CA 203.4 inches
2. Marquette, MI 179.8 inches*
3. Steamboat Springs, CO 173.3 inches
4. Oswego, NY 153.3 inches
5. Sault. Ste. Marie, MI 131.2 inches
6. Syracuse, NY 120.2 inches
7. Meadville, PA 111.2 inches
8. Flagstaff, AZ 111.1 inches
9. Watertown, NY 110.8 inches
10. Muskegon, MI 105.9 inches
*It is important to mention that where a weather monitoring station is located can make a difference in data. The Marquette weather station is located at the airport, several miles from the city.
Coldest Cities in the U.S.
The winter can bring extreme cold to the United States, with cold arctic air and winter storms. When asked to name the coldest state in the U.S., Alaska comes to mind of course. Here are the 10 coldest cities in the United States, based on annual average temperatures, measured in degree Fahrenheit.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. did, however, occur in Alaska. In January of 1971, Prospect Creek, Alaska recorded a minimum temperature of -80 F (-62.2 C). The coldest temperature recorded in the continental states, happened in Embarrass, Minnesota at -64 degrees F (-53.3 C). This temperature was recorded in February 1996, verified for accuracy by Taylor Environmental Instruments.
Cold Wave of 1899
The most wide-spread cold wave to hit the U.S. came in 1899, when a significant cold wave hit the majority of the country. In February 1899, temperatures dropped below zero in every U.S. state, even Florida where Tallahassee dropped to -2 F (-18.9). The records for minimum temperature still stand today in many states. As the arctic air spread from Canada, even the maximum temperatures were well below zero.
Blizzards of 1888
In January and March of 1888, two extremely cold and deadly snowstorms hit the United States. In January, a winter storm hit the Great Plains, killing 237 people and huge numbers of livestock. The storm spread extreme cold and snow from Texas to Minnesota. In March, another storm hit New York and the Northeast. The snow dumped up to 55" of snow in some areas, with hurricane force winds, creating blizzards. In New York City alone, 200 died in the winter storm.
Super Storm of 1993
In March 1993, a vast snow storm hit the eastern United States, known as the "Storm of the Century". Snow fell from Alabama to New York. The snowfall broke almost all single snowstorm records, dumping several feet of snow over several days. Record winds whipped snowfall into blizzard conditions.
References:
Burt, Christopher C. Extreme Weather, a guide and record book. 2007. W. W. Norton Company, New York.
The copyright of the article Winter Blizzards and Cold Records in Meteorology & Climatology is owned by Aurae Beidler. Permission to republish Winter Blizzards and Cold Records in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
How does winter affect your city or town? Do you get tons of snow, lots of
rain or cheery sunshine?
Feb 19, 2008 5:11 PM
Jodie Martin :
Hi Aurae, I live in Queensland, Australia so winter for me means
"cold" 20C (approx 70F) days. It never snows in Queensland, ever.
I'd love to have four proper seasons each year!
My partner is
from DC so he finds the weather here kind of crazy. We spent Christmas on
the US East Coast and I loved the cold weather - though I imagine after
months of it I wouldn't have been coping so well!
I read in
another discussion you're based in Oregon, what's the weather like there?
We're planning to travel up the West Coast next year. What's the best time
of the year to visit?
Thanks, Jodie
Feb 20, 2008 8:19 AM
Aurae Beidler :
Hello, Thanks for commenting. My mother has some friends from New
South Wales, who came up to Oregon during the winter years ago. It was the
first time the children had seen snow. They loved it!
As for
Oregon, it's usually pretty mild, and can be wet in the winter and spring.
The summers are hot and mostly dry, temps 25-30C. We always say that summer
in Oregon starts after the 4th of July, which is typically true. If you
like hot weather, then July through September is the time to visit. The
autumn in Oregon is very nice, usually the cold weather doesn't hit us
until November. The springtime is my favorite because we have so many
wildflowers. There are rain showers but the sunbreaks are wonderful. Oregon has several different climates so it does depend on where you
visit. The Oregon coast is beautiful and warm during the autumn months.
During the summer, the coast can be very windy and foggy. Temperatures at
the coast stay around 15C (60F. Central Oregon, such as Bend, is beautiful,
hot in the summer 35C, cold and snow in the winter. Let me know if
you need anymore information. Oregon is lovely! Here's a wonderful
website by our tourism department: http://www.traveloregon.com/ Take
care!
Feb 20, 2008 6:27 PM
Jodie Martin :
Thanks for the info Aurae! Oregon sounds beautiful. I think Autumn sounds
nice with the mild weather and the wildflowers. I'll have a look at that
website, thanks. So far I know I want to go to Crater Lake National Park
and check out Eugene and Portland, but I've heard the Oregon coast is
pretty amazing. Any suggestions from a local would be more than welcome. :)
Feb 21, 2008 8:25 AM
Aurae Beidler :
I've lived here my whole life and never been to Crater Lake but I hear it's
wonderful. It's on my list too. Eugene is fun, and lovely if you hit it on
the right days. The Willamette River runs through the city. Portland is
filled with fun activities. I go there a few times a year for events. If
you go to the Oregon Coast, from Portland, you can visit Seaside. Seaside
is a tourist city but very nice. If you head a few miles south, you will
hit Canon Beach. I love Canon Beach. Hopefully you will get some great
weather. Have fun!
Feb 27, 2008 4:10 PM
Jodie Martin :
It sounds beautiful! Thanks for your suggestions, I've noted them down. :)
Mar 11, 2009 3:30 PM
Guest
:
Im from Minneapolis,Minnesota and also spend a lot of time in northern MN
near International falls. We get TONS of snow each winter which can seem
to last from November to April. Here in MPLS we had 37 seperate below zero
temps as of March 10th 2009, over a months worth of Sub zero weather!! One
night we hit 26 degrees below zero actual temp, International falls hit 43
below that night.
Mar 15, 2009 5:06 PM
Guest
:
Winter is nasty here. I average 120 inches of snow a year and have had 165
this year. It's perpetual clouds, in the past we've gone almost 2 weeks
without more than a 3 minute stretch of sunshine. Living in a Lake Effect
region is not fun.
Jan 20, 2008
