Alaska rankings · Climate

Snowiest towns in Alaska

Ranked by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station. Towns that share a station share its figure and its rank (T = tied). 35 towns with 2,500+ residents that get at least an inch of snow a year.

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Cost of livingMost affordable Cheapest rent Lowest property tax

SchoolsBest schools Highest graduation rate

IncomeHighest income

PeopleMost educated Youngest Oldest Most residents 65+Most kids

Getting aroundShortest commute

GrowthFastest growing

HousingVacation-home towns Fastest-rising home prices

WorkMost remote workers

SafetySafest

OutdoorsMost conserved land Most trails Most walkable

HealthHealthiest Lowest obesity Fewest smokers Most active Fewest uninsured Lowest depression

ClimateSnowiest Least snow Mildest winters Hottest summers Coolest summers Longest growing season Wettest

RubyNot on this list

Ruby has fewer than 2,500 residents, the floor for AK lists.

Valdez325 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 56

Seward90 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 29

Juneau88 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 23

All 35 towns

Snow a year, highest first.

#TownSnow a yearDays with 1"+ of snowWeather station

1 Valdez3,847 people 325 in 56—

2 Seward2,794 people 90 in 29—

3 Juneau31,794 people 88 in 23—

4 Petersburg3,227 people 86 in 24—

5 Homer5,877 people 84 in 26—

T6 Palmer6,268 people 83 in 24—

T6 Butte4,085 people 83 in 24—

T6 Farm Loop2,894 people 83 in 24—

9 Unalaska4,556 people 82 in 36—

10 Nome3,653 people 81 in 27—

11 Kodiak5,447 people 70 in 19—

12 Eielson AFB3,155 people 68 in 23—

13 Chena Ridge5,881 people 65 in 21—

T14 College11,924 people 64 in 22—

T14 Farmers Loop4,954 people 64 in 22—

16 Kotzebue2,984 people 64 in 21—

17 Bethel6,312 people 64 in 21—

T18 Tanaina9,646 people 62 in 18—

T18 Meadow Lakes8,689 people 62 in 18—

T18 Fishhook5,819 people 62 in 18—

21 Goldstream3,294 people 62 in 22—

22 Ester2,752 people 61 in 23—

23 Big Lake3,585 people 59 in 19—

24 Anchorage288,976 people 59 in 22—

25 Fairbanks32,083 people 58 in 20—

26 Badger18,677 people 54 in 19—

27 Steele Creek5,928 people 53 in 21—

T28 Knik-Fairview19,972 people 50 in 18—

T28 North Lakes10,223 people 50 in 18—

T28 Wasilla9,720 people 50 in 18—

T28 Gateway6,845 people 50 in 18—

T28 South Lakes6,180 people 50 in 18—

33 Utqiaġvik4,778 people 46 in 13—

34 Mill Bay3,654 people 43 in 17—

35 Ketchikan8,078 people 35 in 11—

How it works

How this ranking works

The AK list, with the map →

We rank every town by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station. Towns that get less than an inch a year aren’t ranked. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast, and each town’s Climate page shows its whole year month by month.

Snow and frost are measured at weather stations, and each town uses the nearest NOAA station with a matching climate (within 25 miles, with temperatures that agree with the town’s own). Towns near the same station share its figure, so they tie.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Climate: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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Snowiest towns in Alaska

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