Weather
Alabama Snow Records: Historic Storms Buried Parts of the State
Birmingham, AL – Alabama has experienced winter storms capable of dropping 20 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Co
By Erin Vale · 2026-10-21T12:51:45.910Z
Birmingham, AL – Alabama has experienced winter storms capable of dropping 20 inches of snow in a single day, with historic accumulations affecting communities from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast. As winter 2026 27 approaches, those records demonstrate why even relatively mild winters can still produce dangerous snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Walnut Grove in Etowah County recorded 20 inches of snow March 13, 1993, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Alabama county records. Other historic storms have produced significant accumulations across northern, central and southern Alabama.
Alabama's 10 Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies the highest measurements from 10 separate storm dates or periods represented in NOAA's county level records. Multiple county observations associated with the same storm are grouped together.
1. March 13 14, 1993: Walnut Grove, Etowah County — 20.0 inches on March 13. Oneonta recorded 16 inches, while Blocton reported 15 inches March 14. 2. Jan. 1, 1964: Florence, Lauderdale County — 19.2 inches . Russellville recorded 15 inches, with substantial snowfall across multiple northern Alabama counties. 3. Jan. 23, 1940: Reform, Pickens County — 18.5 inches . Gorgas recorded 15.8 inches. 4. Feb. 13, 1960: Moulton, Lawrence County — 16.0 inches . Belle Mina recorded 13.5 inches. 5. Dec. 31, 1963: Huntsville International Airport, Madison County — 15.7 inches during the same broader winter storm period as Jan. 1, 1964. 6. Feb. 10, 1973: Highland Home, Crenshaw County — 15.8 inches . Union Springs recorded 13 inches, with widespread snowfall across southern Alabama. 7. April 1, 1964: Pushmataha, Choctaw County — 14.0 inches 8. March 3, 1942: Hightower, Cleburne County — 14.0 inches 9. Jan. 10, 2011: Muscle Shoals, Colbert County — 11.5 inches 10. Jan. 22, 2025: Foley, Baldwin County — 10.0 inches . Mobile recorded 7.8 inches during the same historic Gulf Coast winter storm. Why Alabama's Snowfall History Matters Alabama's geography creates different winter weather risks across the state.
Northern Alabama, including Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley, can experience significant snowfall when Arctic air moves into the Southeast. Meanwhile, powerful winter systems can bring substantial accumulations to Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities.
The March 1993 Storm of the Century demonstrated how extreme snowfall can affect the Appalachian foothills and northern Alabama.
More recently, the January 2025 storm brought unusually heavy snow to Alabama's Gulf Coast, highlighting the potential for winter weather even in communities where measurable snowfall is rare.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the southeastern United States. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of significant snowfall.
When Arctic air reaches Alabama while moisture rich systems move across the Gulf Coast, substantial snowfall can occur even during an otherwise mild winter.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another record breaking storm. They demonstrate that a single powerful weather system can create dangerous travel conditions and widespread disruptions.
For Alabama residents, the lesson is clear: One major winter storm can still deliver extraordinary snowfall, regardless of the season's overall temperature trend.