Pacific Northwest Snow Report | OnTheSnow (2024)

FAQs

Which part of the Pacific Northwest has the most snow? ›

The Cascade volcanic peaks receive the most snow in the United States and have permanent glaciers and snowfields above 7,000 feet. Snowfall at Mt. Rainier National Parks Paradise ranger station has averaged a whopping 670 inches since 1960.

Pacific Northwest's annual average snowfall total is 218". The table below shows the snow cover in Pacific Northwest. Note that snowpack levels across Pacific Northwest aren't reported during the off-season period.

Seattle averages just 6.3 inches of snow a winter, although several winters—especially during the 1950s and 60s—have seen much more. Seattle's official snowfall records were taken at Sea-Tac Airport from 1945 through the winter of 1995-96, and again from the winter of 2004-05 onward.

Washington state's snowpack is about 70% of normal (depending on where you look) as of March 2024. With El Niño reportedly on the wane, and a potential La Niña later in the year, there is hope that the mountains will get more snowpack heading into 2025.

The 12-Month Long-Range Weather Report From The 2024 Old Farmer's Almanac. Winter temperatures will be colder than normal, with below-normal precipitation and snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid-November, late December, and mid-January. The snowiest periods will occur in mid- to late December and mid-January.

In Oregon, the cold record of –54F was set on February 9, 1933 at two valley locations in the eastern Oregon highlands: Seneca at 4700 ft in the Bear Valley and nearby Ukiah (3340 ft), about 70 miles to the north.

Mount Rainier and Mount Baker in Washington are the snowiest places in the United States which have weather stations, receiving 645 inches (1,640 cm) annually on average.

Each of the 50 states have reported snowfall at some point in their history. However, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi are states where it doesn't snow or typically see snowflakes least often.

What state has the best snow on Earth? ›

Utah has long claimed to have the greatest snow on Earth—the state itself has even trademarked the phrase. In Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth, Jim Steenburgh investigates Wasatch weather, exposing the myths, explaining the reality, and revealing how and why Utah's powder lives up to its reputation.

Snow is infrequent in most of coastal North Carolina, coastal South Carolina, southern Georgia, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, central and southern Texas, southern Arizona, and coastal California. There are no U.S. states that receive zero snow anywhere in the state ever.

Portland, Oregon, often called Seattle's “sister city,” shares the West Coast spirit with a similar climate, coffee culture, and a love for the great outdoors. While it's a bit smaller, it's big on fun and creativity, offering delicious food and fantastic art scenes.

Hilo, Hawaii

It's also known as the wettest place in the United States, averaging about 12 in. of rain per month.

Seattle's weather is regulated by the Pacific Ocean, which remains relatively even in temperature throughout the year. Occasionally, cold air from the interior of the continent pushes into the Puget Sound region and causes dramatic cold spells, ice, and snow.

Mount Baker Ski Area (4,200 feet elevation) in Washington holds that record, according to NOAA. An amazing 1,140 inches (95 feet) was recorded there during the July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, snow season.

The higher elevations of Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson receive the most snowfall, with up to 600 inches each year in some spots. In fact, Mount Hood is home to some of the country's best skiing conditions. The town of Government Camp near Mount Hood averages over 300 inches of snow annually.