Snowiest Towns in America So Far This Winter

By Sam Stebbins  •  December 3, 2025
red house on snow field
Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash

The meteorological winter begins on December 1 in the United States, and in much of the country, winter weather arrived right on schedule. In recent days, a fast-moving winter storm has impacted parts of the Midwest and Northeast, blanketing major population centers in several inches of snow. Accumulation totals have exceeded 5 inches in the Indianapolis metro area, while suburbs of Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio have reported over 4 inches. Before moving up into Canada, the storm is expected to drop as much as 10 inches of snow across broad swaths of New England. Already, the storm system has disrupted airport and highway travel, causing flight delays and hundreds of reported auto crashes. 

But while the winter of 2025 and 2026 has begun in earnest, there are parts of the country where seasonal weather arrived even earlier. As of the end of November, weather stations across multiple Midwestern and Northeastern states were already reporting double-digit snow accumulation. 

Using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Climate Crisis 247 identified the snowiest places in America so far this season. We reviewed reported snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025 from nearly 6,500 weather states across the continental United States. For each U.S. county or county equivalent with available data, we identified the weather station with the highest level of total snow accumulation. Only counties that had more than 15 inches of snow going into the month of December were considered in this story. Supplemental population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey.

The 10 counties on this list are located across five states – Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Reported snow accumulation totals in these counties range from 15.7 to 25.5 inches. 

It is important to note that accumulation in these counties reflect readings from specific weather stations. As a result, readings may not necessarily indicate total snowfall in population centers. In Coos County, New Hampshire, for example, the weather station at the summit of Mount Washington – the highest mountain in the Northeastern U.S. – reported 21 inches of accumulated snow at the end of November. Cooler temperatures at higher elevations can lead to greater snowfall totals, however, and at nearly 6,300 feet, the Mount Washington Observatory towers thousands of feet above the surrounding cities and towns. 

10. Jo Daviess County, Illinois

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 15.7 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Galena 0.8 WSW; located 772 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Galena, Elizabeth, Apple River, Scales Mound
  • Total county population: 21,918

9. Antrim County, Michigan

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 16.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Mancelona 0.5 ESE; located 1,143 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Bellaire, Mancelona, Elk Rapids, Central Lake
  • Total county population: 23,876

8. Houghton County, Michigan

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 16.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Kearsarge; located 1,120 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Houghton, Hancock, Calumet, Laurium
  • Total county population: 37,428

7. Gogebic County, Michigan

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 17.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Ironwood; located 1,430 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Bessemer, Ironwood, Wakefield, Marenisco
  • Total county population: 14,348

6. Marquette County, Michigan

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 17.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Clarksburg; located 1,554 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Marquette, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Gwinn
  • Total county population: 66,430

5. McKean County, Pennsylvania

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 17.5 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Bradford 1.8 SW; located 1,522 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Smethport, Bradford, Kane, Mount Jewett, Port Allegany
  • Total county population: 40,149
person in red jacket walking on snow covered ground near brown bare trees during daytime
Photo by Edwin Gonzalez on Unsplash

4. Vilas County, Wisconsin

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 20.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Rest Lake; located 1,611 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Eagle River, Boulder Junction, Sayner
  • Total county population: 23,410

3. Coos County, New Hampshire

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 21.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Mount Washington; located 6,270 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Berlin, Stewartstown, Lancaster, Colebrook
  • Total county population: 31,386

2. Baraga County, Michigan

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 24.0 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Herman; located 1,716 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Baraga, L’Anse, Pelkie, Zeba,
  • Total county population: 8,249

1. Iron County, Wisconsin

  • Total snow accumulation as of Nov. 30, 2025: 25.5 inches
  • Weather station reporting snowfall: Pence 0.1 E; located 1,637 ft. above sea level
  • Cities and towns in county include: Hurley, Mercer, Montreal, Saxon
  • Total county population: 6,164


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