This page pulls together information on when, how much and how often Anchorage, Alaska has snow.
There are data and descriptions here of how many days it snows and the total amount of snowfall that Anchorage usually gets. There are also monthly and yearly counts of the days that the northern city normally has heavy snowstorms and deep snow accumulated on the ground. Plus there's information on when Anchorage can expect the first and last snowfalls of the season.
The first set of monthly snow totals are averages for 2010 to 2019. All the other numbers are long-term historical averages based on weather data gathered from 1991 to 2020 at the Anchorage International Airport.
How Often it Snows in Anchorage
The next two tables list monthly and yearly totals for amount of snow and how many days it snows at least 0.1 inches (0.25 centimetres).
10-year snowfall averages in Anchorage, 2010 to 2019| Days | | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|
| 3.5 | January | 12.6 | 32.0 |
| 4.2 | February | 13.9 | 35.3 |
| 2.5 | March | 8.7 | 22.2 |
| 1.6 | April | 5.4 | 13.6 |
| 0.0 | May | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 0.1 | September | 0.3 | 0.8 |
| 0.6 | October | 1.7 | 4.4 |
| 3.6 | November | 10.8 | 27.3 |
| 5.0 | December | 16.6 | 42.3 |
| 21.4 | Year | 71.9 | 182.5 |
30-year snowfall averages in Anchorage, 1991 to 2020| Days | | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|
| 8.8 | January | 12.4 | 31.5 |
| 7.8 | February | 13.4 | 34.0 |
| 6.1 | March | 11.0 | 27.9 |
| 2.5 | April | 4.0 | 10.2 |
| 0.3 | May | 0.3 | 0.8 |
| 0.3 | September | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| 3.2 | October | 5.6 | 14.2 |
| 7.7 | November | 12.6 | 32.0 |
| 10.8 | December | 18.2 | 46.2 |
| 47.5 | Year | 77.9 | 197.9 |
These averages don't show how much the snowfall in Anchorage varies from year to year.
In December, for instance, one in four years has over 26.3 inches of snow. Another 25 percent of years receive less than 9.2 inches for the month.
Similarly in January, fresh snowfall in the heaviest years amounts to over 14.5 inches, while the lightest years get less than 6.9 inches.
New snow for February ranges from over 18.3 inches in heavy snowfall years to under 5.5 inches in light years.
When Anchorage Has Its First & Last Snowfalls
The first snowfall of winter for Anchorage usually arrives in October. In rare years, it starts snowing in September.
The season's last snowfall typically happens in April. Occasionally May also gets at least a dusting of snow.
Anchorage is normally free of snow every year from June to August.
How Many Snowstorms Anchorage Gets
Most days of snowfall in Anchorage leave less than an inch of fresh snow on the ground. For 22 days a year on average, the amount of new snow totals at least an inch.
Snowstorms of over five inches a day normally occur three or four times a year. But major blizzards that dump ten inches or more in one day are rare events that don't happen every year.
Number of days per month and year on average in Anchorage with a total snowfall of at least 1, 3, 5 or 10 inches1 inch
2.5 cm | 3 inches
7.6 cm | | 5 inches
12.7 cm | 10 inches
25.4 cm |
|---|
| 3.6 | 1.4 | January | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| 3.5 | 1.5 | February | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| 2.9 | 1.2 | March | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| 1.2 | 0.4 | April | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| 0.1 | 0.1 | September | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1.5 | 0.6 | October | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| 4.0 | 1.3 | November | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| 5.0 | 2.1 | December | 0.9 | 0.1 |
| 21.8 | 8.6 | Year | 3.6 | 0.3 |
How Much Snow Normally Accumulates in Anchorage
For most of winter, Anchorage has at least five inches of snow on the ground.
Snow mostly accumulates during December to March. Typically, on at least half the days in those months, the snow covering Anchorage amounts to ten or more inches deep. The snow amounts to 20 inches or more deep on an average of 26 days a year.
Average total days per month and year in Anchorage with snow depth of at least 1, 3, 5 or 10 inches on the ground1 inch
2.5 cm | 3 inches
7.6 cm | | 5 inches
12.7 cm | 10 inches
25.4 cm |
|---|
| 30.5 | 28.5 | January | 25.9 | 18.4 |
| 26.9 | 25.4 | February | 25.1 | 20.9 |
| 28.6 | 27.4 | March | 27.0 | 22.6 |
| 13.9 | 12.0 | April | 10.5 | 7.1 |
| 0.2 | 0.0 | May | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 0.1 | 0.0 | September | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 5.4 | 3.1 | October | 1.9 | 0.6 |
| 20.6 | 16.1 | November | 11.4 | 3.9 |
| 28.1 | 25.6 | December | 22.9 | 12.5 |
| 154.3 | 138.1 | Year | 124.7 | 86.0 |
FAQs
Anchorage, Alaska, compared to other U.S. cities, experiences quite a bit of snowfall, averaging about 75 inches annually. This is significantly higher than many other cities due to its northern location and coastal climate.
How much snow has Anchorage gotten this season? ›
Anchorage set several daily and monthly snowfall records this winter, with more than 10 feet of snow dropping on town. But it doesn't look likely the city will break its all-time record of 134.5 inches of total snowfall for the season.
What is Anchorage Alaska's average snowfall? ›
Anchorage has a frost-free growing season that averages slightly over one hundred days. Average January low and high temperatures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC) are 11 / 23 °F (−11.7 / −5.0 °C) with an average winter snowfall of 75.59 inches, or 1.92 meters.
What is the snowfall record in Anchorage Alaska? ›
If the trend continues, Anchorage could break its all-time record of 134½ inches recorded in the winter of 2011.
What was the snowiest year in Alaska? ›
That's impressive to close school in Alaska! The all-time snowiest winter season on record was 2011-2012 when 134.5" of snow fell in Anchorage.
What is the record snowfall in Alaska 2024? ›
'Pandemic of Snow' in Anchorage Sets a Record for the Earliest Arrival of 100 Inches of Snow. Jan. 30, 2024, at 12:07 a.m. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Even by Alaska standards, there is a lot of snow this winter.
Is Alaska the snowiest state? ›
The snowiest state of all is New Hampshire, which gets an average of 174.35 inches of snow each year. This is followed by Maine, which gets 92 inches annually and Vermont, with 80.2 inches. Alaska and Wyoming come next, with 79.6 and 77.33 inches respectively.
What is the snowiest city in Alaska? ›
The city of Valdez receives an average of 300 inches of snow annually. But that's in town, at sea level. Nearby Thompson Pass sees 600 to 900 inches each year on average, and during some winters 100+ inches can fall each month for up to five consecutive months.
What is the snowiest place in Alaska? ›
Valdez, Alaska Snow & Weather
Thompson pass is the snowiest place in Alaska receiving 551.5 inches (1,401 cm) on average annually. Due to its close proximity to the ocean temperatures in Valdez are relatively mild compared to inland Alaska.
What is the snowiest place on earth? ›
The snowiest city on Earth is probably not where you think it is. It's actually in Aomori City in Japan. Here they received around 26 feet of snow every year! It also snows where you would least expect it to.
By the numbers: The storm dumped an incredible 126 inches, or 10.5 feet, of snow in four days in Sugar Bowl, Calif., a ski resort located northwest of Lake Tahoe, according to the National Weather Service forecast office in Sacramento. Soda Springs picked up 116 inches.
What month is the coldest in Anchorage Alaska? ›
Given its giant sprawl, Alaska's weather is truly dependent on where and when you're visiting. If you're traveling to Alaska in January, expect to experience its coldest month. Average daytime temperatures range from 5 to 30 °F (−15 to −1.1 °C).
Has it ever snowed in July in Alaska? ›
According to Brian Brettschneider with our Ask a Climatologist segment, Alaska holds the North American record for most snow on a single day in July. Back in 1970 on July 19, it snowed 9.7 inches at the Summit weather station just south of Cantwell on the Parks Highway.
What was the heaviest snowfall recorded in Alaska? ›
In the winter of 1952–1953, 974.1 inches (2,474 cm) of snow fell—the most ever recorded in one season at one location in Alaska. It is not the most snow ever recorded in one season at one location anywhere in the fifty states as that record belongs to Mount Baker Ski Resort at 1140 inches in 1998-99.
Where in Alaska got 100 inches of snow? ›
But one city that's seen way more than its fair share of winter weather this season is Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage, Alaska, has picked up more than 100 inches of snow so far this season. Anchorage has received a record-breaking 104.9 inches of snow as of Jan.
What is the amount of snowfall in Alaska? ›
Alaska's annual average snowfall total is 219". The table below shows the snow cover in Alaska. Note that snowpack levels across Alaska aren't reported during the off-season period.
How much snow did Valdez Alaska get this year? ›
Valdez Snowfall Rapidly Approaching Depth Of 17 Feet This Winter February 15, 2023 The town of Valdez, down at the end of the Richardson H...
How much of the year is Alaska snowy? ›
Most of the precipitation, even in the winter months, occurs in the form of rain. Some snow, mixed with rain, may fall as early as October. Snow has fallen in all months of the year except June, July, and August. However, appreciable snowfalls seldom occur after late March or before late November.
Did Alaska get a lot of snow? ›
It's been a big snow year in Anchorage, Alaska. The city reached 100 inches of snow earlier than ever before and sent notices to thousands of people warning of potential roof collapses. AILSA CHANG, HOST: Even by Alaska standards, Anchorage has seen a lot of snow this winter.
