Snow can be an extremely divisive factor when it comes to deciding in what state people prefer to live. Some will rush to the most frigid regions where they can thrive in a winter wonderland, whereas others will avoid such precipitation at all costs and search for which states provide moderate to blazing temperatures filled with only rain and sunshine. If you’re a member of the latter group, you’ll want to know definitively which states get no snow.
There are no states in the United States that receive zero snowfall throughout the year. Even those with the warmest, most tropical climates receive some degree of snow, albeit minimal. There are, however, several towns/regions within several states that have never seen snow.
In this article, we will discuss which of America’s 50 states experience the least amount of snow annually and which towns or regions are best for individuals trying to avoid snowfall completely. We’ll also detail what the climate is like in these regions regarding hours of sunshine, annual precipitation, and other aspects, so you know what you’re trading those fluffy snowflakes for.
Which U.S. States Experience the Least Amount of Snow?
If you’re ready to move to a new region in the United States and one of your overarching factors is that you want to avoid snow and the irritants it causes, then you’re better off moving to one of these states.
The top six states that experience the least amount of snowfall annually include:
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Hawaii
If you live in any of these states, it’s doubtful that you’ll need a sled or snowshoes. They only experience the occasional snow, if any at all. The tricky part here is not only knowing which states to move to but which regions to seek out or avoid as well since not all these states experience minimal snowfall throughout their borders.
Georgia
While Georgia’s climate, overall, is described as humid and tropical, like many of the other states listed above, there are parts of northern Georgia that are known for receiving up to five inches of snow, such as Mountain City and Rabun Gap, Dillard, and more. So, if you want to avoid this, it’s best to stick to central or southern Georgia, where it’s unlikely you’ll receive an inch of snow all year.
Mississippi
As for the other states, the Gulf Coast and southern regions of Mississippi are ideal, where average snowfall is .2 versus central and northern regions, where it can vary from 1 to 5 inches. Some of the snowiest locations to avoid include Horn Lake, Southaven, and Hernando.
Alabama
Alabama is a pretty safe bet for the majority of the state, with most regions experiencing .2 inches of snowfall. The cities you’ll want to avoid here are Birmingham, Montgomery, and Anniston, where snowfall has reached as high as 13 inches but usually averages around 3-7 inches.
Louisiana and Florida
Both Louisiana and Florida have winter temperatures in the mid-60s, making them relatively snow-free state-wide. Louisiana sees a bit more snowfall (about an inch max per year), whereas Florida’s annual average of snowfall is zero.
The reason it isn’t listed as a state that unequivocally gets no snow is that historically it has snowed in Florida before, so we can’t guarantee you’ll never see any. It’s just highly unlikely.
Hawaii
And last but not least, we have the stunning tropical state of Hawaii. This is where most Americans assume they’ll be safe from the torments of snow, and for the most part, they’d be right.
Like Florida, the average snowfall in Hawaii is zero and would likely never exist in the state if it weren’t for the towering volcanos dominating its many islands. If you’re ever in the mood to see some snow, visit the Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, or Haleakala volcano summits, where elevations are over 10,000 feet, and the peaks can receive anything from a light dusting to several inches of snowfall, depending on the year.
Which U.S. Towns Have Never Experienced Snow?
So, there you have it; the states that experience the least amount of snowfall annually. As you can see with Hawaii and Florida, there are some states that technically have an average snowfall of zero because the amount the receive is so minimal, especially when compared to other U.S. states and that particular state’s climatic history.
While it’s true that every state in America has experienced snowfall to some degree, there are towns, cities, and regions within certain states that have never experienced snow for as long as this statistic has been documented or only experience minimal snowfall within the past century.
These safe havens from snow include:
- Most of Southern Florida (below Homestead), like Miami, Everglades City, and Naples.
- Phoenix, Arizona (last significant recording within the city was one inch on January 21 and 22, 1937)
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Long Beach, California
- The U.S. Virgin Islands
- Guam
There are some honorable mentions, such as San Diego and San Francisco, California, that have only experienced a handful of snow days in the past century or so, or cities like Las Vegas, Nevada, where light snowfall is common nearby but rarely enters the city.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, if you want to avoid snowfall as much as possible on the U.S. mainland, Florida is your best option, followed by the several other states we discussed previously. Otherwise, you’ll be better off venturing to the islands of Hawaii or the U.S. territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands for a snow-free existence.
