The 10 States that Get the Most April Snow

Many people associate the month of April with rainstorms, warmer temperatures, and the return of migratory birds. However, only certain places in the United States possess these qualities during the spring. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that several states are still experiencing winter weather at this time! Let’s explore ten states that receive the most snow during the month of April and discuss what you can expect if you’re traveling there during this time of year.

1. Montana

While many people are packing away their winter coats for the year, Montana residents know to keep theirs handy. Although April is often thought of as the beginning of spring, this mountainous state receives snowfall throughout this month. Most residents won’t see snow begin to melt away until the early summer, typically around the middle of May.

2. South Dakota

Believe it or not, the snowiest month of the year for South Dakota is actually April. This state averages about 12 and a half inches of snowfall during this month, and certain locations throughout the state can experience up to 30 inches.

3. Wyoming

Wyoming is no stranger to late-season snowfall. In fact, this state was buried under historic snowfall during the month of April several times throughout history. One of the most recent and most impressive storms hit the city of Lander, Wyoming in 1999. According to the National Weather Service, this town was covered in 52.7 inches of snow during a blizzard that lasted from April 21st to April 24th. This far exceeded the second-largest snowstorm, which was only recorded to be 36.7 inches of snow.

4. Colorado

When you think of mountainous, snowy states, chances are Colorado is one of the first to come to mind. People far and wide know Colorado for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. Luckily, residents and tourists alike are able to enjoy these activities well into the year, as Colorado typically experiences snowfall up until the month of May. If you’re looking to squeeze in some late-season time on the powder, this is definitely the state for you.

5. Alaska

As the northernmost state in America, it’s no surprise that Alaska experiences snow late into the year. Quite a bit of snowfall in this state occurs after March 31st, and snow typically won’t begin melting until the end of the month. Despite the snow, tourists enjoy booking their trips during the month of April as the amount of daylight begins to increase rapidly during this month.

6. North Dakota

Much like its neighbor to the south, North Dakota also receives a surprising amount of snow during April. Between April 12th and April 14th of 2022, North Dakota experienced a record-breaking amount of snowfall. According to the National Weather Service, “Snow began in southwestern North Dakota early in the morning on Tuesday, April 12th, and quickly expanded into central North Dakota during the morning hours, then gradually into northern North Dakota through the rest of the day … Overall snowfall was 1 to 3 feet, with drifts exceeding 8 feet.”

7. Michigan

While snowfall in April can be a surprise for residents in many states, those who live in Michigan know that this is quite commonplace. Although Michigan doesn’t receive as much April snowfall as other places we’ve discussed today, this state experiences some amount of snowfall during the spring nearly every single year.

8. Minnesota

Each year, Minnesota residents can guarantee that they’ll be experiencing some type of snowfall during the month of April. In some years the springtime snow is lighter, but during others, record-breaking amounts of snowfall have been observed. One of the most recent springtime blizzards occurred in April of 2018, where strong winds, freezing temperatures, and roughly 16 inches of snow ravaged several cities throughout the state.

9. Wisconsin

Similar to Minnesota, Wisconsin also receives some amount of snowfall each spring. Certain parts of the state will receive more snow than others, and Northern Wisconsin is likely to experience the most. According to the National Weather Service, the record for the most amount of snowfall during April in Wisconsin was set in 1973 with an incredible 17.4 inches.

10. Maine

As one of the states furthest up north throughout America, Maine experiences higher than average snowfall compared to other places in the United States. Throughout the month of April, residents of Maine can expect to see about five to ten inches of snowfall each year.