Northland Seasonal Snowfall Records

The Northland has had near record amounts of snowfall this winter. This page contains rankings of the top snowiest seasons for select locations. The time range for the records below encompass from July to June of each season listed, not just the "meteorological" winter period of December-January-February. Note that not every location listed has a long history of weather records. For media inquiries, please email nws.duluth@noaa.gov or call 218-729-6697.

Duluth, MN Area

Snowfall records for the Duluth Area go back to 1885, or about 137 full seasons of history as of the 2022-2023 winter. Snowfall observations have been taken at the property now known as the Duluth International Airport since 1941, with various locations closer to Lake Superior before this time period. (More information about Duluth observation history.)

Rank	Season	Amount
1	2022-2023	140.1 (As of 1PM April 30)
2	1995-1996	135.4
3	1949-1950	131.8
4	2013-2014	131.0
5	2012-2013	129.4
6	1996-1997	128.2
7	1968-1969	121.0
8	1988-1989	119.1
9	1970-1971	116.9
10	1964-1965	110.9
11	1993-1994	110.4
12	2003-2004	109.9

International Falls, MN Area

Snowfall records for the International Falls area go back to about 1947, with some data also available between 1907 and 1927, though most of those seasons are missing parts of the winter season.

Rank	Season	Amount
1	2008-2009	125.6
2	1995-1996	116.0
3	1991-1992	111.0
4	1988-1989	104.7
5	2013-2014	101.2
6	1992-1993	98.7
7	2012-2013	98.6
8	1990-1991	97.2
9	1965-1966	96.6
10	1974-1975	96.5

(Not in top 10)	2022-2023	84.4 (As of 7AM April 28)

Brainerd, MN

Snowfall records for Brainerd go back to about 1948.

Rank	Season	Amount
1	2022-2023	89.3 (As of 7AM April 28)
2	1996-1997	80.6
3	1988-1989	79.4
4	2021-2022	77.3
5	1968-1969	75.3
6	2017-2018	73.5
7	2012-2013	73
8	2018-2019	71.9
9	1970-1971	71.3
10	1964-1965	70

Spooner, WI Ag Research Station

Snowfall records at the Spooner Ag Research Station go back to about 1893.

Rank	Season	Amount
1	2013-2014	126.2
2	1898-1899	95.5
3	2022-2023	94.4 (As of 7AM April 28)
4	1968-1969	93.0
5	1950-1951	90.6
6	2018-2019	87.9
7	1995-1996	86.9
8	2017-2018	85.7
9	2010-2011	80.7
10	1993-1994	80.7

Bayfield, WI - Bayfield Fish Hatchery

Data goes back to 1939, with the observations between 1939-2005 taken at an observation site 6 miles north of Bayfield. Data between 2008-present is taken at the Bayfield Fish Hatchery just south of town. Two seasons, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 are missing, but based on surrounding observations they were likely not close to the top 10 seasonal snowfalls.

Rank	Season	Amount
1	2022-2023	182.9 (As of 7AM May 2)
2	2013-2014	150.3
3	1996-1997	150.0
4	1983-1984	141.7
5	2012-2013	140.8
6	2000-2001	138.5
7	2018-2019	134.0
8	1995-1996	131.5
9	1975-1976	130.7
10	1985-1986	128.3