Record snowfalls in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin using data from the to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each county was included in the list.
December 23, 2013 (Ashland County)
- 1-day snowfall: 23.0 inches
March 1, 1888 (Brown County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Kenosha County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Racine County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 14, 1997 (Shawano County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
December 28, 1904 (Taylor County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 25, 1996 (Price County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
December 1, 2019 (Bayfield County)
- 1-day snowfall: 25.0 inches
March 13, 2006 (Iron County)
- 1-day snowfall: 26.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Walworth County)
- 1-day snowfall: 26.0 inches
