Rockies Average 8+ Feet of Snow While the Deep South Gets Under 3 Inches: How Much Snow Your State Normally Sees as El Niño Shakes Up Winter 2026-27
UNITED STATES — With winter approaching, many people are wondering how much snow to expect this season. A look at average winter snowfall across the country shows just how much totals can vary, from more than 8 feet in the Rocky Mountains to less than 3 inches across much of the South.
This year, though, a strong El Niño is adding plenty of uncertainty, meaning some areas could blow past their normal totals while others don’t come close.
Based on 30 Years of Snowfall Data
The averages come from 1991 to 2020 records and show total snowfall for an entire winter season.
Average Seasonal Snowfall by Region
| Region | Typical Season Total |
|---|---|
| Rocky Mountains | 8+ feet |
| Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes | 4 to 8 feet |
| Northern Plains | 3 to 4 feet |
| Central Plains and Iowa | 2 to 3 feet |
| Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes | 1 to 2 feet |
| Southern Plains, including Kansas | 6 to 12 inches |
| Mid-South, including Tennessee and Arkansas | 3 to 6 inches |
| Deep South and Gulf Coast | Under 3 inches |
Rocky Mountains Lead the Nation With 8+ Feet
The highest totals in the country fall across the Rockies, where mountain areas in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana typically see more than 8 feet of snow each winter. The Cascades and Sierra Nevada in the West also see very heavy totals.
Upper Midwest and Great Lakes: 4 to 8 Feet
Areas near the Great Lakes, including northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, average 4 to 8 feet of snow, boosted by lake-effect snow.
Northern Plains: 3 to 4 Feet
The Dakotas and parts of Montana typically pick up 3 to 4 feet of snow during an average winter.
Central Plains and Ohio Valley: 1 to 3 Feet
Moving south and east, totals drop:
- Nebraska, Iowa and nearby areas: about 2 to 3 feet
- Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the Ohio Valley: about 1 to 2 feet
Southern States See Much Less
Farther south, snow becomes rare:
- Kansas and northern Oklahoma: about 6 to 12 inches
- Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky’s southern areas: about 3 to 6 inches
- Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida: under 3 inches
Northeast and New England Also Snowy
Northern New England and upstate New York are among the snowier areas in the East, while the Mid-Atlantic coast generally sees lower totals.
El Niño Adds Big Uncertainty to This Winter
A strong El Niño can shift the jet stream and change where winter storms track. That can mean:
- More snow for some areas than normal
- Much less snow for others
- Bigger swings from one storm to the next
Because of that, this winter could look very different from the 30-year averages.
Don’t Expect Snow Just Yet
Snow lovers may need to be patient. Forecasters say the next couple of weeks look pretty warm for most of the country, so widespread snow is unlikely in the short term.
How to Prepare for Winter Anyway
- Service snow blowers and gather shovels and ice melt
- Check winter tires and vehicle emergency kits
- Inspect heating systems before the cold arrives
- Follow monthly outlooks as winter gets closer
Stay with Bchssreport.com for the latest updates on this story.
About The Author
