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Alaska is appx 1/5 the size of the entire continental U.S. We have more miles of coastline than the entire continental U.S.. We have more than 1,000,000 lakes. I assure you there is no way any state can possibly see or hold more snow than we do.
Anchorage itself sees average annual snowfall from about 70 inches on the west side to about 90 inches on the east side at low elevations. The 24-hour record for snowfall in Anchorage, set in March 2002 is 37.5 inches.
Nearby Valdez has it a little rougher. This small city sees an average annual snowfall of 325.6 inches. Their record annual snowfall is 556.7 inches.
I live in Fairbanks, which is considered a sub-arctic desert. We do well to manage 60-70 inches of annual snowfall. Our weather cross to bear is temperature swing, from -65 below zero degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 95 above in the summer. In the winter it can stay below zero degees here for weeks, even months on end.
Alaska is appx 1/5 the size of the entire continental U.S. We have more miles of coastline than the entire continental U.S.. We have more than 1,000,000 lakes. I assure you there is no way any state can possibly see or hold more snow than we do.
Anchorage itself sees average annual snowfall from about 70 inches on the west side to about 90 inches on the east side at low elevations. The 24-hour record for snowfall in Anchorage, set in March 2002 is 37.5 inches.
Nearby Valdez has it a little rougher. This small city sees an average annual snowfall of 325.6 inches. Their record annual snowfall is 556.7 inches.
I live in Fairbanks, which is considered a sub-arctic desert. We do well to manage 60-70 inches of annual snowfall. Our weather cross to bear is temperature swing, from -65 below zero degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 95 above in the summer. In the winter it can stay below zero degees here for weeks, even months on end.
Mt Baker (in Washington) has the world record for snowfall, followed by Mt Rainier.
"Although the Arctic is known as a snowy place, it is in fact a desert where very little snow actually falls. The snow that does fall, however, stays around a long time, giving the impression of much snow.
So where did the MOST snow fall?
The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker (elevation: 10,775 feet / 3,285 meters) in Washington State, USA. The Mount Baker Ski Area reported 1,140 inches (95 feet) / 2,896 cm (29 meters) of snowfall for the 1998-99 season."
No place on earth gets more snow than the highest peaks of the Pacific Northwest. The combination of consistently wet westerly winds and 10,000+ foot-high peaks very near the ocean results in a veritable dumping of snow every year. Alaska may be colder, but we get a LOT more snow (at least up on the higher peaks).
Ken
Last edited by LordBalfor; 03-03-2009 at 10:36 AM..
Mt Baker (in Washington) has the world record for snowfall, followed by Mt Rainier.
"Although the Arctic is known as a snowy place, it is in fact a desert where very little snow actually falls. The snow that does fall, however, stays around a long time, giving the impression of much snow.
So where did the MOST snow fall?
The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker (elevation: 10,775 feet / 3,285 meters) in Washington State, USA. The Mount Baker Ski Area reported 1,140 inches (95 feet) / 2,896 cm (29 meters) of snowfall for the 1998-99 season."
No place on earth gets more snow than the highest peaks of the Pacific Northwest. The combination of consistently wet westerly winds and 10,000+ foot-high peaks very near the ocean results in a veritable dumping of snow every year. Alaska may be colder, but we get a LOT more snow (at least up on the higher peaks).
Ken
Oh, see I thought the question was which state gets the most snowfall. Do you stack 95 feet in a column, or do you spread it out over a vast area? Say 1,067,425 square miles, like Alaska? (of which only 1/3 is 'arctic').
But that's a lot of snow, for sure. Do people live there? We have a small city called Valdez (pronounced 'valdeez) that averages 305.8 inches per year. [SIZE=+1][/SIZE]
Oh, see I thought the question was which state gets the most snowfall. Do you stack 95 feet in a column, or do you spread it out over a vast area? Say 1,067,425 square miles, like Alaska? (of which only 1/3 is 'arctic').
But that's a lot of snow, for sure. Do people live there? We have a small city called Valdez (pronounced 'valdeez) that averages 305.8 inches per year. [SIZE=+1][/SIZE]
Yeah, I see what you are saying, and indeed you may be right in your interpretation.
In regards to people living in these high snowfall areas - the answer is "not that I know of". These are readings on the mountain's flanks (ski areas etc).
Mt Baker (in Washington) has the world record for snowfall, followed by Mt Rainier.
"Although the Arctic is known as a snowy place, it is in fact a desert where very little snow actually falls. The snow that does fall, however, stays around a long time, giving the impression of much snow.
So where did the MOST snow fall?
The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker (elevation: 10,775 feet / 3,285 meters) in Washington State, USA. The Mount Baker Ski Area reported 1,140 inches (95 feet) / 2,896 cm (29 meters) of snowfall for the 1998-99 season."
No place on earth gets more snow than the highest peaks of the Pacific Northwest. The combination of consistently wet westerly winds and 10,000+ foot-high peaks very near the ocean results in a veritable dumping of snow every year. Alaska may be colder, but we get a LOT more snow (at least up on the higher peaks).
Ken
If we are talking about locations then the Pacific Northwest is the king of snowfall. Pretty much anywhere along the coastal mountains from SE Alaska down through BC, Washington to Oregon gets high amounts of snowfall. Of course no one lives in these places.
As Ken pointed out the deepest snows in the world have been recorded on Mt Rainier and Mt Baker. Both spots recorded close to 100 feet in one season. The coastal range of British Columbia sees some pretty impressive snowfall totals as well.
I think its hard for people to realize back east just how much snow falls in the coastal ranges. So I would say Washington State and Alaska probably record the most snowfall for any location in a season in the continental United States.
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mt baker washington state!! i was there in the 1980's it has the most snow fall in the country.. been to rainer too it snows a lot at rainer but not as much as baker.
Omg.. The weird thing is that one of the hottest cities in America. Phoenix, Arizona is only 150 miles south from one of the few coldest/snowiest cities in America. Just 150 apart difference. Flagstaff gets over 100" inches of snow. A complete 180'. Less then 150 miles.
Omg.. The weird thing is that one of the hottest cities in America. Phoenix, Arizona is only 150 miles south from one of the few coldest/snowiest cities in America. Just 150 apart difference. Flagstaff gets over 100" inches of snow. A complete 180'. Less then 150 miles.
That's what mountains will do for you.
Same thing is true in Washington state - where less than 100 miles from Mt Rainier you are in desert.
Omg.. The weird thing is that one of the hottest cities in America. Phoenix, Arizona is only 150 miles south from one of the few coldest/snowiest cities in America. Just 150 apart difference. Flagstaff gets over 100" inches of snow. A complete 180'. Less then 150 miles.
I think this is something alot of people who grew up and live back east dont really comprehend till they move out west. The climate can change drasitically within a few miles in the mountain states.
For instance in vancouver it rains most of the winter, but literally you can go 5 or 10 miles out of the city and you will just dumped on with snow!
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