Weather
Wisconsin Snowfall History: 31 Inches Fell in Just One Day
Madison, WI – Wisconsin has experienced winter storms capable of dumping more than 30 inches of snow in a single day, with some of the state's biggest recorded accumulations occurring as recently as M
By Evan Cross · 2026-10-21T12:40:00.094Z
Madison, WI – Wisconsin has experienced winter storms capable of dumping more than 30 inches of snow in a single day, with some of the state's biggest recorded accumulations occurring as recently as March 2026. As winter 2026 27 approaches, historical snowfall records demonstrate why even warmer than average winters can still produce dangerous storms.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Wausaukee in Marinette County recorded 31 inches of snow March 17, 2026, the highest one day measurement in the supplied Wisconsin county records. The same storm period brought extraordinary snowfall to several northeastern Wisconsin communities.
Wisconsin's Biggest Distinct Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies major snowfall events represented in NOAA's county level records. Multiple county observations from the same storm are grouped rather than counted as separate events.
1. March 16 17, 2026: Wausaukee, Marinette County — 31.0 inches on March 17. Ephraim recorded 30 inches the same day, while Florence reported 29 inches March 16. 2. March 13, 2006: Upson, Iron County — 26.0 inches 3. Feb. 2, 2011: Pell Lake, Walworth County — 26.0 inches . Kenosha and Racine recorded 24 inches during the same storm. 4. Jan. 1, 2019: Bayfield Fish Hatchery, Bayfield County — 25.0 inches 5. Jan. 31, 1888: Green Bay, Brown County — 24.0 inches 6. March 25, 1996: Park Falls, Price County — 24.0 inches 7. March 14, 1997: Bowler, Shawano County — 24.0 inches 8. Dec. 23, 2013: Ashland, Ashland County — 23.0 inches 9. March 20, 2014: Superior, Douglas County — 23.0 inches 10. June 13, 2024: White Lake, Langlade County — 22.5 inches Why Wisconsin's Snowfall Records Matter Wisconsin's location between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan creates conditions favorable for significant snowfall.
Northern Wisconsin can experience intense lake effect snow when cold air moves across relatively warmer lake waters. Meanwhile, powerful winter storm systems can bring widespread accumulations to Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and surrounding communities.
The March 2026 storm demonstrated how quickly extreme snowfall can affect multiple counties, while the February 2011 blizzard produced substantial accumulations across southeastern Wisconsin.
These records show that dangerous snowfall is not limited to one region of the state.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter temperatures, precipitation and storm tracks across the Midwest and Great Lakes region. However, warmer seasonal conditions do not eliminate the possibility of significant snowfall.
Cold Arctic air interacting with moisture from the Great Lakes or powerful storm systems can still produce substantial accumulations 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 Wisconsin residents, the lesson is clear: One major winter storm can still deliver extraordinary snowfall, regardless of the season's overall temperature trend.