Coos County, NH Tops List as Snowiest Place in America
For folks in northern New Hampshire, snow is more than just part of the scenery — it’s a way of life.
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
For anyone who’s spent a winter north of the White Mountains, it probably won’t come as a shock: Coos County, New Hampshire, has officially been crowned the snowiest county in the United States.
According to a recent study by Lawn Love, Coos County ranks No. 1 in the nation for snowfall, edging out typically snow-heavy areas like Erie County, New York, and Anchorage, Alaska. The ranking analyzed more than 200 U.S. counties, using data from 1991 to 2020 to compare average monthly snow totals, single and multi-day snowfall records, and even local snow removal access.
For folks in northern New Hampshire, snow is more than just part of the scenery — it’s a way of life. The region’s mountains, winding roads, and proximity to the Canadian border mean that snowshoes, plows, and shovels are essential gear most months of the year. That long, snowy season also fuels the local economy through winter tourism, snowmobiling, and ski traffic passing through towns like Lancaster and Berlin.
Lawn Love’s analysis puts Coos County ahead of some of America’s most famous winter destinations. Erie County, New York, which often makes headlines for its “lake-effect” snowstorms off Lake Erie, ranked second. Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, came in third. Counties across the Great Lakes and the mountain West round out the top ten, but none bested northern New Hampshire’s consistent accumulation.
The ranking comes on the heels of what’s been an unusual stretch of weather for New England. Last Christmas was one of the warmest on record, but meteorologists warn that La Niña could bring more unpredictable winter patterns into 2026. That means while Coos County continues its snowy dominance, other parts of the Northeast could see sharp changes in snow frequency and intensity.
For New Englanders, though, the results feel like validation. Despite the quirks of climate cycles, the Granite State’s northern border remains a true winter stronghold.
The full ranking and methodology are available on Lawn Love’s website.
