National Weather ServiceHeavy Snow WarningVTEC HS.WArchive to October 1, 2026
Heavy Snow Warning: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 215 heavy snow warnings from 2008 to 2008, 215 a year on average, and has not issued the product since 2008; Alaska, Washington and Idaho had the most.
What is a heavy snow warning?
A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The National Weather Service office for each area sets the criteria for this product with its partners.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many heavy snow warnings a year?
National count: each heavy snow warning counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 215 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most heavy snow warnings?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A heavy snow warning covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Washington | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Idaho | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Montana | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Oregon | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Colorado | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| California | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Maine | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Connecticut | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Massachusetts | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Maryland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Hampshire | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New York | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Dakota | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Virginia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vermont | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wyoming | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iowa | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Louisiana | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ohio | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Missouri | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nevada | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.