OHIO — As winter approaches, Ohioans are reminded of the snowstorms that have shaped the state’s history.
Some of these storms, like the blizzard of 1978 and the “Storm of the Century,” remain vivid in the minds of residents, while others have grown legendary over time.
And according to experts, these historic snowstorms may become more frequent due to climate change.
While winters are generally getting shorter and warmer, warmer air holds more moisture, creating prime conditions for intense snowfall when temperatures hover near freezing.
Since 1981, winter temperatures across the U.S. have risen by more than 1 degree Fahrenheit, according to a 2022 Climate Central study. This shift has contributed to a fourfold increase in blizzards since the mid-20th century.
To understand Ohio’s snowiest days, Stacker analyzed data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, identifying the state’s largest single-day snowfalls:
- Trumbull County – April 20, 1901: 30 inches
- Warren County – December 23, 2004: 26.5 inches
- Licking County – April 20, 1901: 25 inches
- Gallia County – January 17, 1994: 24 inches
- Monroe County – February 16, 2003: 22 inches
- Lake County – November 24, 1950: 21 inches
- Shelby County – November 26, 1950: 20.2 inches
- Columbiana County – December 2, 1974: 20 inches
- Darke County – November 26, 1950: 20 inches
- Muskingum County – January 14, 1968: 20 inches
These historic storms are not just weather trivia; they serve as benchmarks for future snowfall and offer a reminder of the increasingly unpredictable nature of winter weather in Ohio.
