National Weather ServiceWinter Storm WarningVTEC WS.WArchive to October 1, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 660 winter storm warnings in 2025 and 705 a year on average in 2008-2025; California, Alaska and Wyoming got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 334, 29% below the average of 473 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a winter storm warning?
A winter storm warning means significant snow, sleet or freezing rain is expected that will make travel very difficult or impossible. Each office sets the amounts for its area. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many winter storm warnings a year?
National count: each winter storm warning counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 334 |
| 2025 | 660 |
| 2024 | 715 |
| 2023 | 696 |
| 2022 | 697 |
| 2021 | 656 |
| 2020 | 549 |
| 2019 | 851 |
| 2018 | 741 |
| 2017 | 630 |
| 2016 | 551 |
| 2015 | 629 |
| 2014 | 739 |
| 2013 | 681 |
| 2012 | 617 |
| 2011 | 792 |
| 2010 | 870 |
| 2009 | 782 |
| 2008 | 825 |
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 winter storm warnings?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A winter storm warning covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 73 | 66 | 65 |
| Alaska | 60 | 53 | 46 |
| Wyoming | 49 | 49 | 39 |
| Montana | 49 | 53 | 62 |
| Colorado | 46 | 52 | 29 |
| Washington | 45 | 43 | 34 |
| Idaho | 35 | 36 | 26 |
| Minnesota | 32 | 35 | 34 |
| New York | 31 | 31 | 32 |
| Oregon | 31 | 28 | 23 |
| Wisconsin | 31 | 30 | 35 |
| Michigan | 29 | 31 | 41 |
| West Virginia | 24 | 25 | 39 |
| Nevada | 21 | 20 | 19 |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 24 | 21 |
| Nebraska | 20 | 22 | 12 |
| Utah | 20 | 20 | 9 |
| New Mexico | 18 | 19 | 16 |
| Texas | 17 | 16 | 14 |
| Maine | 16 | 21 | 11 |
| Iowa | 16 | 20 | 19 |
| South Dakota | 16 | 19 | 11 |
| Virginia | 16 | 18 | 22 |
| Kansas | 14 | 16 | 22 |
| Illinois | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| Missouri | 13 | 14 | 19 |
| Kentucky | 13 | 14 | 20 |
| Indiana | 12 | 16 | 18 |
| North Carolina | 12 | 16 | 19 |
| Vermont | 12 | 13 | 11 |
| Ohio | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| Arizona | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| North Dakota | 9 | 12 | 8 |
| Maryland | 9 | 16 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| Tennessee | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Arkansas | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Oklahoma | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | 7 | 11 | 7 |
| Connecticut | 7 | 11 | 9 |
| New Jersey | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| Georgia | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Mississippi | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Louisiana | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Alabama | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Hawaii | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| South Carolina | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Delaware | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest winter storm warnings in AreaZine's record
NWS Great FallsWarningJune 27, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Northwest Beaverhead County, MT
Expired 12:00 p.m. MDT, June 29, 2026
NWS MissoulaWarningJune 26, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Butte/Blackfoot Region, MT
Expired 9:00 a.m. MDT, June 29, 2026
NWS BillingsWarningMay 20, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, MT
Expired 6:00 p.m. MDT, May 21, 2026
NWS DenverWarningMay 17, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet, CO
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, May 18, 2026
NWS CheyenneWarningMay 17, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Sierra Madre Range, WY
Expired 6:00 p.m. MDT, May 18, 2026
NWS RivertonWarningMay 17, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Lander Foothills, WY
Expired 6:00 p.m. MDT, May 18, 2026
NWS PuebloWarningMay 5, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11000 Ft, Southern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft and Wet Mountains above 10000 Ft, CO
Expired 12:00 a.m. MDT, May 7, 2026
NWS CheyenneWarningMay 5, 2026
Winter Storm Warning: Laramie Valley, WY
Expired 9:00 a.m. MDT, May 6, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
Winter Storm Warning or winter storm watch?
A winter storm watch (for a wide area, hours or days ahead) means the conditions are possible: be ready; a winter storm warning (from the local NWS office, for the area at risk) means the hazard is happening or imminent: act now. A winter storm watch means a significant winter storm is possible in the coming days. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The NWS issued 626 winter storm watches in 2025, against 660 winter storm warnings. The winter storm watch record.