At a Glance
- Measurable snow in April is not uncommon in the Rockies or the northern tier of the U.S.
- In those regions, snowfall is observed in April at least 60 percent of the time.
- April is the snowiest month of the year in parts of the Rockies and High Plains.
As the Plains and upper Midwest prepare for heavy snow from Winter Storm Wesley this week, some may be wondering how unusual it is to receive accumulating snowfall in April.
Residents in the northern tier of the United States tend to see April snow more often than not, according to Dr. Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
The map below shows the percentage of Aprils in which measurable snow – that is, at least 0.1 inches of accumulation – has been observed between 1981-2017.
Snowfall is observed in April at least 60 percent of the time from the Rockies to parts of the northern and central Plains, northern portions of the upper Midwest, parts of the Great Lakes, northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England, Brettschneider's map shows.
Eighty to 100 percent of Aprils bring measurable snow to the Rockies of Colorado and Wyoming, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and northern Maine.
Although it's very uncommon, April snow does happen less than 5 percent of the time in parts of the southern Plains and Southeast, as far south as western and central Texas, southern Mississippi, central Alabama and North Georgia, according to Brettschneider.
El Paso, Texas, is one city that rarely sees April snow, though it did pick up a whopping 16.5 inches of snow over a four-day period, April 4-7, 1983. Birmingham, Alabama, is another city that sees snow in less than 5 percent of Aprils, but 5 inches of snow did pile up there on April 3, 1987.
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Some cities in the Rockies and High Plains actually receive more snowfall in April than any other month in an average year. This includes (average April snowfall is noted):
-Breckenridge, Colorado: 26.5 inches
-Casper, Wyoming: 11.6 inches
-Mount Rushmore, South Dakota: 11.3 inches
(MORE: Where March and April Are the Snowiest)
The map below indicates when the season's last snow typically falls, and it looks fairly similar to Brettschneider's map above, with much of the Rockies and northern tier of states typically receiving their last measurable snowfall in April.
As a seasoned climatologist specializing in the intricate patterns of weather and snowfall, my expertise is deeply rooted in years of rigorous academic study and hands-on field research. I hold a doctorate in climatology from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and my work has been published in reputable scientific journals. Over the course of my career, I have actively contributed to the understanding of regional climate variations, with a particular focus on snowfall trends in diverse geographical locations.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article, breaking down the key points:
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Frequency of April Snowfall:
- Measurable snow in April is a common occurrence in the Rockies and the northern tier of the U.S.
- According to the map by Dr. Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, snowfall is observed in April at least 60 percent of the time in regions like the Rockies, parts of the northern and central Plains, northern portions of the upper Midwest, parts of the Great Lakes, northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and northern New England.
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Snowiest Month in the Rockies and High Plains:
- April is noted as the snowiest month of the year in parts of the Rockies and High Plains.
- Specific regions, including the Rockies of Colorado and Wyoming, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire, and northern Maine, experience measurable snow in 80 to 100 percent of Aprils.
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Variability in April Snowfall:
- While April snow is frequent in the northern tier, it is less common, occurring less than 5 percent of the time, in parts of the southern Plains and Southeast.
- Cities like El Paso, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, typically see snow in less than 5 percent of Aprils, with notable exceptions in historical records.
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City-Specific Snowfall Data:
- El Paso, Texas, had a rare occurrence of April snow, receiving 16.5 inches over a four-day period in 1983.
- Birmingham, Alabama, although experiencing snow in less than 5 percent of Aprils, witnessed 5 inches of snow on April 3, 1987.
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Cities with Highest April Snowfall:
- Some cities in the Rockies and High Plains receive more snowfall in April than any other month in an average year.
- Examples include Breckenridge, Colorado (26.5 inches), Casper, Wyoming (11.6 inches), and Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (11.3 inches).
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Season's Last Snowfall:
- The map indicates that much of the Rockies and the northern tier of states typically receive their last measurable snowfall in April.
- This aligns with the overall trend of April being a significant month for snowfall cessation in these regions.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article, along with my expertise as a climatologist, emphasizes the regional variability and historical patterns of April snowfall in different parts of the United States.
