Winter Storm Expected to Hit Places Already Buried in Snow

By Sam Stebbins  •  January 23, 2026
A striking image of snow-covered houses showing the aftermath of an avalanche in winter.
Photo by Samrat Maharjan on Pexels

As the weekend approaches, the size and potential impact of the looming winter storm is becoming increasingly clear. The storm is expected to bring icy conditions and heavy snow to no less than 33 of the 50 states – from New Mexico and Texas, up through the Midwest and into New England. Beginning on Friday and lasting through the weekend, as many as 230 million Americans, or about two-thirds of the U.S. population, could be impacted. 

According to the latest forecasts, by Monday, the storm could deliver over a foot of snow to a swath of the country stretching from Oklahoma City to Boston – including some areas that are expected to get at least a foot and a half.  For many cities in the storm’s path, this weekend’s snowfall volume may well exceed typical snowfall totals over an entire winter season. 

In other parts of the country, meanwhile, the approaching storm will mark the continuation of what has already been a year largely defined by heavy snowfall. In the first few weeks of January alone, several U.S. counties have already reported snowfall totals exceeding three and a half feet. Some of these same places may receive another half a foot of snow or more by Monday. 

Using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth program, Climate Crisis 247 identified the snowiest U.S. counties so far this year. We reviewed cumulative, reported snowfall totals from over 16,500 weather stations across the Continental United States from Jan. 1 to Jan. 19, 2026. Only weather stations reporting the greatest snowfall volume within a given county were considered. Supplemental data on each county’s record-high snowfall volume over a 24-hour period is from NOAA’s Snowfall Extremes program. Snowfall forecasts for the upcoming storm are from NOAA’s Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, and reflect anticipated snowfall volume from noon on Friday through midday Sunday, the most up-to-date 72-hour projection available. 

In the counties on this list, 2026 snowfall totals range from 42.9 to 72.5 inches. Of these 10 counties, all but two will likely be impacted by this weekend’s storm. According to the latest estimates, parts of these counties could receive anywhere from 2 to 17 inches of additional snow by 12 p.m. on Sunday. 

10. Marquette County, Michigan 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 42.9 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Marquette WFO (1,415 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 9.1 inches on Jan. 14
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 27.0 inches on Oct. 23, 1929
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 0.5 inches, up to 2 inches possible (Marquette, MI)

9. Cattaraugus County, New York 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 44.1 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Cattaraugus 3W (1,708 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 12.2 inches on Jan. 2
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 30.6 inches on Nov. 30, 2024
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 5 inches, up to 7 inches possible (Ellicottville, NY)
a snowy street lined with trees and houses
Photo by Joshua Trevisiol on Unsplash

8. Klamath County, Oregon 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 44.2 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Crater Lake NPS HQ (6,483 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 13.8 inches on Jan. 5
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 37.0 inches on Feb. 28, 1971
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 0 inches, up to 0 inches possible (Klamath Falls, OR)

7. Lewis County, New York 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 45.5 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Highmarket 2W (1,804 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 10.6 inches on Jan. 1
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 48.0 inches on Dec. 2, 2024
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 13 inches, up to 17 inches possible (Lowville, NY)

6. Houghton County, Michigan 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 47.3 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Calumet-Tamarack (1,239 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 10.5 inches on Jan. 17
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 38.0 inches on Dec. 26, 2022
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 4 inches, up to 8 inches possible (Houghton, MI)

5. Somerset County, Pennsylvania 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 47.5 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Hidden Valley (2,875 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 22.0 inches on Jan. 16
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 40.0 inches on March 14, 1993
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 6 inches, up to 11 inches possible (Somerset, PA)

4. Salt Lake County, Utah 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 51.7 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Alta (8,708 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 20.6 inches on Jan. 5
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 38.0 inches on Dec. 2, 1982
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 0 inches, up to 0.5 inches possible (Salt Lake City, UT)

3. Baraga County, Michigan 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 57.0 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Herman (1,716 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 10.0 inches on Jan. 11
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 32.0 inches on Dec. 2, 1985
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 1 inches, up to 4 inches possible (L’Anse, MI)

2. Erie County, New York 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 61.8 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Colden 2.4 ENE (1,650 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 23.0 inches on Jan. 2
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 47.5 inches on Nov. 20, 2014
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 8 inches, up to 9 inches possible (Springville, NY)

1. Oswego County, New York 

  • Total recorded snowfall in 2026: 72.5 inches
  • Reporting weather station: Lacona 3.6 SSE (628 ft. above sea level)
  • Greatest single-day snowfall volume for county in 2026: 32.0 inches on Jan. 2
  • All-time high single-day snowfall volume in county: 40.0 inches on Dec. 8, 1958
  • Highest current 3-day snowfall forecast in county: 8 inches, up to 10 inches possible (Pulaski, NY)

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