The greatest recorded snowfall depends entirely on the timeframe being measured, separating sudden, intense storms from accumulation over months. A single blizzard can drop historic amounts in a day, while certain high-altitude or maritime locations capture continuous moisture over an entire winter season. Tracking these extremes requires standardized methods to ensure that a massive, singular event is not confused with the long-term total. The resulting statistics showcase the incredible power of atmospheric moisture.
The Highest Recorded 24-Hour Totals
The most widely accepted official 24-hour record stands at 75.8 inches, or just over six feet, measured at Silver Lake, Colorado, in April 1921. This event highlights the role of high-elevation geography in intensifying snow systems.
Other locations have seen staggering one-day totals that challenge this record. In February 1963, Thompson Pass, Alaska, was pummeled with 78 inches of snow in a 24-hour period, a measurement considered a contender for the U.S. national record. Internationally, an even greater amount was reported in Capracotta, Italy, where an astonishing 100.8 inches fell in only 18 hours in 2015. Such events are rare meteorological phenomena that temporarily bury landscapes under many feet of fresh snow.
Accumulation Over Time: The Seasonal Records
When considering the greatest total inches of snow ever recorded, the focus shifts to accumulation over an entire winter season. The world record for the greatest seasonal snowfall belongs to Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington State, which received 1,140 inches, or 95 feet, of snow during the 1998–99 season. This record surpassed the previous mark of 1,122 inches set at the Paradise Ranger Station on Mount Rainier, another location in Washington’s Cascade Range, during the winter of 1971–72.
These high seasonal totals are concentrated in maritime, high-elevation environments. Warm, moist air from the ocean is continuously forced upward over mountain barriers, a process known as orographic lift. The persistent flow of moisture combined with consistently cold temperatures allows for massive, uninterrupted accumulation over many months. The 1,140-inch figure represents the sum of all new snow that fell throughout the season, not the depth of the snowpack at any one time.
This distinction between total snowfall and maximum snow depth is important for understanding the records. Snow naturally settles and compacts over time, so the total amount that falls is always greater than the height of the snowpack on the ground. The greatest recorded natural snow depth, the actual measurement of the standing snow on the ground, was 465.4 inches, or about 38.8 feet, measured on Mount Ibuki, Japan, in 1927. This depth illustrates the immense scale of the snowpack that can remain in place after continuous seasonal accumulation.
How Snowfall Records Are Verified
The verification of extreme snowfall records relies on standardized procedures established by weather organizations to ensure accuracy and consistency. Observers use a specific tool called a snowboard, which is a flat, white-painted surface placed in an open area away from obstacles like trees or buildings that could cause drifting or melting. The white color prevents the surface from absorbing solar radiation and melting the new snow. Measurements of new snowfall are taken using a ruler or measuring stick, typically to the nearest tenth of an inch, before the snow has a chance to settle significantly.
After each measurement, the snowboard is cleared so that the next measurement only captures the newest accumulation. This process prevents the inflation of totals that would occur if settled snow were measured repeatedly. An additional step in verification involves calculating the snow water equivalent, which is the amount of liquid water contained within the snow sample. By taking a core sample and melting it, meteorologists determine the density and water content, providing a measure crucial for assessing potential flooding and confirming the quality of the snowfall measurement. Accurate record-keeping requires multiple measurements to be averaged, especially in windy conditions where drifting can unevenly distribute the snow.