National Weather ServiceSnow AdvisoryVTEC SN.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Snow Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 850 snow advisories from 2008 to 2008, 850 a year on average, and has not issued the product since 2008; Washington, Alaska and Idaho had the most.
What is a snow advisory?
A snow advisory covered snowfall below winter storm warning amounts. The NWS replaced it with the winter weather advisory. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many snow advisories a year?
National count: each snow advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 850 |
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 snow advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A snow advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Alaska | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Idaho | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Montana | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Wyoming | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| California | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Oregon | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Michigan | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Colorado | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Iowa | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Nebraska | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Nevada | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| South Dakota | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New York | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Virginia | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Pennsylvania | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Maine | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Illinois | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Maryland | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Indiana | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kentucky | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Massachusetts | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ohio | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| New Mexico | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Missouri | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| North Carolina | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Arkansas | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Connecticut | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Hampshire | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Texas | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vermont | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oklahoma | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Delaware | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| District of Columbia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Louisiana | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rhode Island | 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.