Record snowfalls in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.
December 23, 2013 (Ashland County)
- 1-day snowfall: 23.0 inches
March 1, 1888 (Brown County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Kenosha County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Racine County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 14, 1997 (Shawano County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
December 28, 1904 (Taylor County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 25, 1996 (Price County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
December 1, 2019 (Bayfield County)
- 1-day snowfall: 25.0 inches
March 13, 2006 (Iron County)
- 1-day snowfall: 26.0 inches
February 2, 2011 (Walworth County)
- 1-day snowfall: 26.0 inches
