The Top 11 U.S. Capital Cities That Get the Most Snow

The United States has a wide variety of climates, and although places such as sunny Florida are warm all year round, other areas shiver with cold and snowy winters. The US receives an average of 28 inches of snow per year, but some areas receive much, much more. Although rural areas often receive the largest amount of snow, some urban areas get their fair share too. So, keep reading to discover the US capital cities that get the most snow!

#11 Lansing, Michigan — 48 inches

The first city on the list is Lansing, which has an average snowfall of 48 inches. The most significant snowfall occurs in January and February, with around 13 to 14 inches per month. Michigan’s capital has cold winters due to its proximity to the Great Lakes, and the record low temperature was -29°F which was achieved in January 1981.

#10 Boston, Massachusetts — 49.2 inches

The next capital city on the list is Boston, Massachusetts, which receives an average of 49.2 inches of snow per year. The city has an average of 23 snowy days per year, with the majority coming in the months of January and February, with approximately six days each. Boston is the most populous city in the state with more than 670,000 people. The city is located on Boston Harbor and is within close proximity to the prestigious Harvard University, which is situated just a few miles outside the city.

#9 Bismarck, North Dakota — 49.2 inches

Also with an average annual snowfall of 49.2 inches is Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota. Bismarck is situated in the south-central region of the state. Although it is the capital, it is only the second most populous city in the state, with the first position going to Fargo.

#8 Madison, Wisconsin — 53 inches

An average snowfall of 53 inches sees Madison in Wisconsin take the next position. There’s an average of almost 38 snowy days in the year. The snowiest period is December to February, with an average of 12 to 13 inches per month. Madison is known for its numerous National Historic Landmarks as well as its wide variety of parks and trails.

#7 Cheyenne, Wyoming — 55.7 inches

With just slightly more snow on average, the next one on the list is Cheyenne in Wyoming with 55.7 inches. March and April are the snowiest months in the city, with April receiving up to 11 inches on average. Cheyenne is located in the southeastern region of the state and has a population of around 64,000. The city is particularly famous for its railroads and has a railroad museum, the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which was founded in 1993.

#6 Denver, Colorado — 56.5 inches

The next US capital city with the most snowfall is unsurprisingly Denver, with an average of 56.5 inches. The Colorado city has an average of 31.4 snowy days, with significant snow typically coming in the months from October to April. Denver is located close to the Rocky Mountains and is nicknamed the “Mile-High City” due to its elevation which is approximately one mile high.

#5 Albany, New York — 60 inches

The capital of New York State, Albany, comes next with an average of 60 inches of snow per year. Snow typically occurs in Albany between November and March and has an average of 34.5 snowy days. January is the month that receives the greatest snowfall, with a little over 15 inches. Albany is considered to be the oldest city in the state of New York and features a wide range of stunning architecture.

#4 Concord, New Hampshire — 61 inches

The next city is New Hampshire’s capital, Concord, which has an average annual snowfall of 61 inches. Concord has a population of approximately 44,500 but is not the most populous city in the state, with that title going to Manchester, which has a population of around 115,000. Concord is located within the Merrimack River watershed and is situated in the south-central region of the state.

#3 Augusta, Maine — 71.3 inches

Coming in as the third-snowiest capital city in the US is Augusta, Maine, with an average of 71.3 inches and 33.6 snowy days. The coldest months in Maine are January and February, with record lows of -22 and -30°F respectively. January is the snowiest month, with an average of 19 inches, although February, March, and December also typically receive significant snowfall.

#2 Juneau, Alaska — 93.2 inches

The capital city with the second-highest snowfall per year is Juneau, with an average of 93.2 inches. Juneau receives an average of 43 days of snowfall per year and has a record low temperature of -22°F. Alaska’s capital is located close to Mount Juneau in the Alaskan Panhandle in the southeastern region of the state. With an area that spans 3,255 square miles, Juneau is actually the largest US state capital.

#1 Montpelier, Vermont — 94.2 inches

The US capital city that gets the most snow is Montpelier in Vermont, with an average annual snowfall of 94.2 inches. Montpelier is located in the north-central region of Vermont. It has a humid continental climate which features hot, humid summers and cold winters. Montpelier averages 54 snowy days in the year and a record low temperature of -34°F. Montpelier has an estimated population of around 8,000, making it one of the smallest state capitals in the entire United States.

Summary of the Snowiest US Capital Cities

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/a_Taiga