Record snowfalls in Alaska history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of '78, the , any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms鈥攖he kind you measure all other snowy days against鈥攁re .
Despite shorter, warmer winters鈥攄riven by climate change鈥攊n many areas, blizzards are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Since warmer air holds more moisture, more snow is likely to fall when temperatures are just below freezing versus when temperatures are significantly below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point.
Warmer-than-normal winter air is impacting nearly every region of the U.S., according to a 2024 study by Climate Central. For every the air holds 4% more moisture, creating the right conditions for intense snowfall.
compiled a list of the biggest 1-day snowfalls in Alaska using data from the to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each borough was included in the list.
January 12, 1932 (Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 36.0 inches
January 14, 1911 (Ketchikan Gateway Borough Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 36.0 inches
January 17, 2024 (Juneau City and Borough Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 38.5 inches
March 11, 1951 (Sitka City and Borough Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 42.0 inches
March 17, 1995 (Matanuska-Susitna Borough Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 42.0 inches
January 2, 2012 (Haines Borough Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 42.0 inches
February 8, 1956 (Southeast Fairbanks Census Area Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 43.0 inches
December 23, 1959 (Anchorage Municipality Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 44.0 inches
March 15, 1918 (Copper River Census Area Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 57.0 inches
December 29, 1955 (Chugach Census Area Borough)
- 1-day snowfall: 62.0 inches
