Record snowfalls in Ohio history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of '78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular.
Despite shorter, warmer winters—driven by climate change—in many areas, blizzards are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Since warmer air holds more moisture, more snow is likely to fall when temperatures are just below freezing versus when temperatures are significantly below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point.
Warmer-than-normal winter air is impacting nearly every region of the U.S., according to a 2024 study by Climate Central. For every 1 degree rise in Fahrenheit the air holds 4% more moisture, creating the right conditions for intense snowfall.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest 1-day snowfalls in Ohio using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each county was included in the list.
November 26, 1950 (Scioto County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
November 26, 1950 (Shelby County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.2 inches
November 24, 1950 (Lake County)
- 1-day snowfall: 21.0 inches
November 9, 1913 (Medina County)
- 1-day snowfall: 22.0 inches
February 16, 2003 (Monroe County)
- 1-day snowfall: 22.0 inches
December 9, 1962 (Ashtabula County)
- 1-day snowfall: 23.0 inches
January 17, 1994 (Gallia County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
April 20, 1901 (Licking County)
- 1-day snowfall: 25.0 inches
April 22, 1901 (Coshocton County)
- 1-day snowfall: 30.0 inches
April 20, 1901 (Trumbull County)
- 1-day snowfall: 30.0 inches
