"Rochester NY Snowfall: How Much Did We Get?"

Snowfall in Rochester, NY: A Detailed Analysis

Rochester, NY, is renowned for its cold, snowy winters, but just how much snow does this city typically receive? Let's delve into the historical data and break down the average snowfall in Rochester, NY, by month and season, and explore the heaviest snowstorms on record.

Average Snowfall in Rochester, NY

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Rochester, NY, experiences an average annual snowfall of around 93.4 inches. However, this amount can vary significantly from year to year. The city's snowiest month is typically February, with an average snowfall of about 23.4 inches, while the least snowy month is August, with an average of only 0.6 inches.

Monthly Snowfall Averages

Month Average Snowfall (inches)
January 18.5
February 23.4
March 16.4
April 6.5
May 1.5
June 0.2
July 0.1
August 0.6
September 1.2
October 3.5
November 11.8
December 16.9

Heaviest Snowstorms in Rochester, NY

While Rochester experiences heavy snowfall on a regular basis, some storms stand out due to their exceptional snow totals. Here are a few of the most notable snowstorms to hit Rochester, NY:

cars are buried in the snow near houses
cars are buried in the snow near houses

  • Blizzard of 1993: This storm, which occurred on March 12-13, 1993, dumped a record-breaking 43 inches of snow on Rochester, making it the city's snowiest storm on record.
  • President's Day Storm of 2003: On February 17-18, 2003, a powerful nor'easter brought Rochester 31.8 inches of snow, making it the city's second snowiest storm.
  • Halloween Nor'easter of 1991: Although this storm primarily brought heavy rain to Rochester, it also dropped 20.8 inches of snow on the city on October 31-November 1, 1991.

Snowfall Trends and Patterns

Rochester, NY, typically experiences its heaviest snowfall between November and March, with January and February being the snowiest months. Lake-effect snow, which occurs when cold air moves over the warm waters of Lake Ontario, can also bring significant snowfall to Rochester during the fall and early winter months.

While Rochester's snowfall can be unpredictable from year to year, understanding the city's historical snowfall patterns can help residents better prepare for winter. Whether you're a lifelong Rochester resident or new to the area, knowing what to expect from the city's snowfall can help you stay safe and enjoy all that Rochester has to offer, even in the depths of winter.

50 Things To Do This Winter In Rochester, N.Y.
50 Things To Do This Winter In Rochester, N.Y.
a snow covered park with trees and houses in the background on a snowy day,
a snow covered park with trees and houses in the background on a snowy day,
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Wintertime in Rochester - Day Trips Around Rochester, NY
rochester ny - 1944 blizzard
rochester ny - 1944 blizzard
a man walking down a snow covered street next to a pile of snow on the sidewalk
a man walking down a snow covered street next to a pile of snow on the sidewalk
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Rochester NY @ Christmastime
a snow covered path with trees and bushes
a snow covered path with trees and bushes
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2014: A Year in Review | Ashley Danyew
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Discover Rochester, NY
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11 Best Places to Rent Snowshoes Around Rochester - Day Trips Around Rochester, NY
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Winter Snowman decoration on State Street in downtown Rochester, NY
the cat in the hat is holding a sign that says, will it rain? will it snow? i live in oregon i do not know
the cat in the hat is holding a sign that says, will it rain? will it snow? i live in oregon i do not know
people are shoveling snow from the street in front of parked cars and buildings on a snowy day
people are shoveling snow from the street in front of parked cars and buildings on a snowy day
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Tracking the timing of Sunday's nor'easter, how much snow to expect
a sign that says deep cut in the snow with trees in the back ground behind it
a sign that says deep cut in the snow with trees in the back ground behind it
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Lower Falls Cave - Rochester, NY - Exploring Upstate
an aerial view of houses covered in snow
an aerial view of houses covered in snow
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Haunted House in Rochester - Rochester, New York, 1998 - 2002
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Turning Point Park - Day Trips Around Rochester, NY
a bunch of cars that are parked on the side of a road covered in snow
a bunch of cars that are parked on the side of a road covered in snow
a black and white photo of a gazebo in the snow
a black and white photo of a gazebo in the snow
Homeowner awoken at 6 am to their entitled neighbor demanding that they shovel their shared portion of the driveway despite the driveway being mostly cleared and not even their responsibility: 'He was furious because it had snowed overnight'
Homeowner awoken at 6 am to their entitled neighbor demanding that they shovel their shared portion of the driveway despite the driveway being mostly cleared and not even their responsibility: 'He was furious because it had snowed overnight'
a car is covered in snow and it's head sticking out of the hood
a car is covered in snow and it's head sticking out of the hood
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Here's how much snow N.J. will get, in latest blizzard forecast maps
the snow is piled up and ready to be shoveled
the snow is piled up and ready to be shoveled