Nearly everyone who lives in snow-prone areas has a legendary winter storm story, whether it’s the Blizzard of ’78, the Storm of the Century, or more recent blizzards and bomb cyclones. Experts say these historic snowstorms—the ones all others are measured against—are becoming more common.
Even as winters grow shorter and warmer in many regions due to climate change, blizzards are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which means heavier snowfall is more likely when temperatures hover just below freezing rather than far below the 32-degree Fahrenheit mark.
According to a 2024 study by Climate Central, warmer-than-average winter air is affecting nearly every part of the United States. For every 1-degree increase in Fahrenheit, the air can hold about 4% more moisture, creating ideal conditions for heavier snowfall.
To better understand Kentucky’s historical snowfall patterns at the local level, Stacker compiled a list of the largest one-day snowfalls in the state using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Only the highest one-day snowfall record for each county was included.
March 13, 1993 (Breathitt County)
1-day snowfall: 19.8 inches
December 23, 2004 (Hancock County)
1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
January 8, 1942 (Madison County)
1-day snowfall: 20.2 inches
January 8, 1996 (Bell County)
1-day snowfall: 22.0 inches
January 17, 1994 (Harrison County)
1-day snowfall: 22.0 inches
February 21, 1929 (Pulaski County)
1-day snowfall: 22.0 inches
March 3, 1942 (Letcher County)
1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 14, 1993 (Harlan County)
1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
March 14, 1993 (Perry County)
1-day snowfall: 25.0 inches
March 3, 1942 (Pike County)
1-day snowfall: 26.0 inches
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