{"id":20836,"date":"2026-01-05T02:38:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T02:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=20836"},"modified":"2026-01-07T15:45:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T15:45:41","slug":"snowiest-counties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/snowiest-counties\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Wonderlands: America\u2019s Snowiest Counties"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirty years ago, the Blizzard of \u201996 dropped blankets of snow across the Atlantic Coast, shutting down the region for a week and causing up to $3 billion in damage.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the warmest Christmas on record, with possibly more unusual winter weather to come in 2026 due to the effects of La Ni\u00f1a, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">Lawn Love<\/a> ranked America\u2019s Snowiest Counties.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the 213 U.S. counties with data available, we included average monthly historical snowfall rates from November through April from 1991 to 2020 (the most recent data available), single and 3-day historical snowfall records, and access to snow removal services, among 8 total metrics.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shovel through our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities and where we found our data, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"in-this-article\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this article<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#rankings\">County rankings<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#top-5\">Top 5 snowiest counties<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key insights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#blizzard-96\">A look back at the Blizzard of \u201996<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#expert-take\">Expert take: Safe snow removal<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#methodology\">Methodology: How we ranked the snowiest counties<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Cold hands, warm snowblower: Winter lawn care tips<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\"><span id=\"county-rankings\">County rankings<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See how each county fared in our ranking:<\/p>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 94.42% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/062b3c8d-573d-42e3-af91-4a0b4f89a57f?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"LL: Ranking Table - 2026's Snowiest Counties\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 78.5% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/2ba22df1-ea10-423e-9403-4ad046fde4ce?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"LL: Top 50 Snowiest Counties in the US\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-5\"><span id=\"top-5-snowiest-counties\">Top 5 snowiest counties<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 snowiest counties.<\/p>   <div style=\"min-height: 535px\" class=\"ub_image_slider swiper-container wp-block-ub-image-slider\" id=\"ub_image_slider_086857a8-7790-46b7-8444-663d8df7eea9\" data-swiper-data='{\"speed\":300,\"spaceBetween\":20,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"loop\":true,\"pagination\":{\"el\": \".swiper-pagination\" , \"type\": \"bullets\", \"clickable\":true},\"navigation\": {\"nextEl\": \".swiper-button-next\", \"prevEl\": \".swiper-button-prev\"}, \"keyboard\": { \"enabled\": true }, \"effect\": \"slide\",\"simulateTouch\":false}'>             <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Omni_Mount_Washington_Resort-1.png\" alt=\"A winter resort surrounded by snowcapped mountains in Coos County, New Hampshire\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 1: <\/strong>Coos County, New Hampshire | Biggest city: Berlin | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>68.66<br><br><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April): <\/strong>41.22 inches (or 3.4 feet) | Rank: 1<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall in a Single Day: <\/strong>49.3 inches (or 4.1 feet) | Rank: 2<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days: <\/strong>91.1 inches (or 7.6 feet) | Rank: 2<br><strong>Average Historical Annual Temperature: <\/strong>43.3\u00b0F | Rank: 22<br><strong>Average Historical Number of Extremely Cold Days: <\/strong>238 days at or below 32\u00b0F | Rank: 5<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Take a trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brettonwoods.com\/experiences\/winter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bretton Woods<\/a>, a resort for both Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and scenic gondola rides.\u00a0<br><br>Ride <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecog.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Cog<\/a> \u2014 the world\u2019s first mountain-climbing cog railway \u2014 for panoramic views from Mount Washington of the Presidential Range.\u00a0<br><br>Upcoming winter events include the <a href=\"https:\/\/jacksonnh.com\/events\/jackson-snow-sculpting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jackson Invitational Snow Sculpting Competition<\/a> from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mwv-icefest.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest<\/a> on Feb. 5\u20138.<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Omni_Mount_Washington_Resort.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phil8684<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Winter_Storm_Knife_-_Town_Line_NY-1.png\" alt=\"Cars are completely covered by snow in a neighborhood in Erie County, New York\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 2: <\/strong>Erie County, New York | Biggest city: Buffalo | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>50.62<br><br><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April): <\/strong>15.75 inches | Rank: 8<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall in a Single Day: <\/strong>47.5 inches | Rank: 5<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days: <\/strong>86.5 inches | Rank: 3<br><strong>Average Historical Annual Temperature: <\/strong>51\u00b0F | Rank: 69<br><strong>Snow Removal Services and Equipment: <\/strong>55 businesses | Rank: 14<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Take a ride on the historic <a href=\"https:\/\/spectrumlocalnews.com\/nys\/buffalo\/things-to-do\/2025\/02\/28\/check-out-one-of-the-last-remaining-toboggan-chutes-in-the-u-s--in-erie-county\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">toboggan chutes<\/a> in Chestnut Ridge Park, go <a href=\"https:\/\/buffalowaterfront.com\/events\/public-ice-skating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ice skating<\/a>, or take a spin around in <a href=\"https:\/\/buffalowaterfront.com\/activities\/ice-bumper-cars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ice bumper cars<\/a>.\u00a0<br><br>Be a spectator for the local pond hockey tournament, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buffalobackyardclassic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buffalo Backyard Classic<\/a>, from March 28\u201329.\u00a0<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Winter_Storm_Knife_-_Town_Line,_NY.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthony Quintano<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_356657369-1-1.png\" alt=\"A scenic view of Anchorage in the wintertime\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 3: <\/strong>Anchorage Municipality, Alaska | Biggest city: Anchorage | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>49.41<br><br><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April): <\/strong>11.93 inches | Rank: 20<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall in a Single Day: <\/strong>44 inches | Rank: 7<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days: <\/strong>60 inches | Rank: 13<br><strong>Average Historical Annual Temperature: <\/strong>32.8\u00b0F | Rank: 7<br><strong>Snow Removal Services and Equipment: <\/strong>79 businesses | Rank: 6<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Celebrate the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furrondy.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fur Rendezvous<\/a>, aka \u201cFur Rondy,\u201d from Feb. 26 to March 8. This iconic winter festival features outhouse races, snowshoe softball, and a running of the reindeer (there will even be a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-cities-playing-pickleball-usa\/\">pickleball<\/a> tournament).\u00a0<br><br>Fur Rondy is home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furrondy.net\/events\/open-world-championship-sled-dog-races\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open World Championship Sled Dog Races<\/a>, but there are also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anchorage.net\/winter\/things-to-do\/dog-sledding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dog sledding tours<\/a> available from October through March.\u00a0<br><br>Other big festival highlights include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furrondy.net\/events\/alaska-state-snow-sculpture-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alaska State Snow Sculpture Championship<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furrondy.net\/events\/world-championship-outdoor-hockey-tournament\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Championship Outdoor Hockey Tournament<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furrondy.net\/events\/big-fat-ride-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Big Fat Ride<\/a>, a 5-mile spin around the city on fat bikes.\u00a0<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?k=anchorage&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;asset_id=356657369\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Felipe Mahecha<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Yakutat-City-and-Borough-Alaska-1.png\" alt=\"Clouds block the snowy mountain peaks across a body of water in Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 4: <\/strong>Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>47.57<br><br><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April): <\/strong>23.93 inches | Rank: 2<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall in a Single Day: <\/strong>30 inches | Rank: 34<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days: <\/strong>40.8 inches | Rank: 42<br><strong>Average Historical Annual Temperature: <\/strong>34.8\u00b0F | Rank: 9<br><strong>Average Historical Number of Extremely Cold Days: <\/strong>157 days at or below 32\u00b0F | Rank: 49<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>This rural Alaskan borough is known for its glaciers and <a href=\"https:\/\/mooringlodge.com\/surfing.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">surfing culture<\/a>.<br><br>Go visit the 76-mile-long <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/wrst\/learn\/nature\/glaciers.htm#:~:text=in%20North%20America.-,Hubbard%20Glacier,-The%20Hubbard%20Glacier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hubbard Glacier<\/a>, the longest tidewater glacier in North America. This county is also home to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/wrst\/learn\/nature\/glaciers.htm#:~:text=Malaspina%20Glacier%20National%20Natural%20Landscape\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Malaspina Glacier<\/a>, spanning over 1 million acres.\u00a0<br><br>Photo credit:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/wbayercom\/50641646166\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Werner Bayer<\/a>\u00a0\/ Flickr \/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/51043488718_a6d1bd2475_k-1.png\" alt=\"Crouse College sits on a hill covered in snow in Onondaga County, New York\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 5: <\/strong>Onondaga County, New York | Biggest city: Syracuse | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>47.53<br><br><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April): <\/strong>21.25 inches | Rank: 3<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall in a Single Day: <\/strong>36 inches | Rank: 20<br><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days: <\/strong>42.9 inches | Rank: 36<br><strong>Average Historical Annual Temperature: <\/strong>50.5\u00b0F | Rank: 59<br><strong>Snow Removal Services and Equipment: <\/strong>69 businesses | Rank: 9<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Celebrate <a href=\"https:\/\/syracusewinterfest.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Syracuse Winterfest<\/a> from Feb. 12\u201322, featuring chili and chowder cookoffs, a treasure hunt with a $2,000 prize, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/thesyracuseinnerharbor.com\/events\/human-dogsled-race-benefiting-helping-hounds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Dogsled Race<\/a>.<br><br>Enjoy a spin around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syr.gov\/Venues\/Parks-Recreation-Community-Centers\/Clinton-Square-Ice-Rink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clinton Square Ice Rink<\/a> until March 2.<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/onasill\/51043488718\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bill Badzo<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div> <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>         <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-insights\">Key insights<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s no secret that <strong>Alaska<\/strong> and counties around the Great Lakes like <strong>Erie County, New York<\/strong> (No. 2), <strong>Onondaga County, New York<\/strong> (No. 5), and <strong>Chippewa County, Michigan<\/strong> (No. 17), see the most flurries in a typical year. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/safety\/winter-lake-effect-snow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lake effect<\/a> causes snow clouds to form and expand over the Great Lakes, forming snow bands that can drop 3+ inches of snow per hour on nearby communities.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alaska<\/strong> claims the top <strong>13 coldest counties<\/strong> based on average historical annual temperature. Among the counties in our ranking, <strong>North Slope Borough<\/strong> (No. 63) is the <strong>most frigid<\/strong>, where about 11,000 locals deal with an average annual temperature of <strong>18.4\u00b0F <\/strong>and 314 days of the year at or below 32\u00b0F.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Snowy surprise:<\/strong> The record for <strong>most snowfall over 3 days<\/strong> among the counties in our ranking goes to <strong>Coconino County, Arizona<\/strong> (No. 6), with almost <strong>8 feet of snow<\/strong> in 2010. Flagstaff is the biggest city in Coconino County.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Chicago region is <strong>most prepared to weather the storm<\/strong> with 170 <strong>snow removal services<\/strong> operating in <strong>Cook County, Illinois<\/strong> (No. 15). Meanwhile, residents in wintry rural areas like <strong>Coos County, New Hampshire<\/strong> (No. 1), and <strong>Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska<\/strong> (No. 4), are out there shoveling their own snow with few registered snow removal businesses.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern counties like <strong>Mecklenburg County, North Carolina<\/strong> (No. 137), <strong>Richmond, Virginia<\/strong> (No. 133), and <strong>Jefferson County, Kentucky<\/strong> (No. 127), had <strong>explosive growth in searches for snow-related terms<\/strong> like snow plowing between 2024 and 2025. Mecklenburg \u2014 home to Charlotte \u2014 saw the <strong>highest jump <\/strong>nationwide, with searches increasing by <strong>nearly 600% <\/strong>year-over-year. The Charlotte region saw its first snowfall in 2025 after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wccbcharlotte.com\/2025\/01\/10\/the-longest-measurable-snow-drought-on-record-in-charlotte-has-officially-ended\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nearly 3-year drought<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"snowiest-counties-by-region\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snowiest counties by region<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of the counties represented in our ranking, here are the snowiest by region (excluding Alaska):<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Region<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>County<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April)<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Record Historical Snowfall Over 3 Days<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Northeast<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Coos County, New Hampshire&nbsp;<\/strong>(No. 1)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">41.22 inches<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">91.1 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">South<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Randolph County, West Virginia<\/strong>&nbsp;(No. 29)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">11.33 inches<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">46 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Midwest<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>St. Louis County, Minnesota<\/strong>&nbsp;(No. 7)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">14.43 inches<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">43.6 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">West<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Coconino County, Arizona<\/strong>&nbsp;(No. 6)<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">14.58 inches<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">95 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 id=\"year-in-review-historic-snow-events-of-2025\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Year in review: Historic snow events of 2025<\/h3>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Last year, a <strong>Gulf Coast Blizzard<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/yaleclimateconnections.org\/2025\/02\/what-caused-the-gulf-coasts-incredible-january-snowstorm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">broke snowfall and temperature records<\/a> from Texas to Florida, with all-time records set in <strong>Pensacola, Florida<\/strong>, with 8.9 inches (a statewide record), <strong>New Orleans<\/strong> \u2014 Orleans Parish (No. 198) \u2014 with 8 inches a couple of weeks before hosting the Super Bowl, and <strong>Mobile County, Alabama<\/strong> (No. 201), with 7.5 inches.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Winter Storm Blair<\/strong> led <strong>10 states<\/strong> \u2014 from Kansas to Virginia \u2014 to declare a <strong>state of emergency<\/strong> due to heavy snow and ice accumulation.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"blizzard-96\"><span id=\"a-look-back-at-the-blizzard-of-96\">A look back at the Blizzard of \u201996<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996-1.png\" alt=\"A row of yellow houses covered in snow in Baltimore during the 1996 Blizzard\" class=\"wp-image-43852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996-1.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996-1-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996-1-768x515.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996-1-610x409.png 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Baltimore_Maryland_Blizzard_of_1996.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samshawv<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From Jan. 6\u20138, 1996, a blizzard struck 20 Eastern states, impacting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/rsi\/societal-impacts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 58 million<\/a> residents. Considered one of only two U.S. snowstorms ranked \u201cextreme\u201d by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/rsi\/nesis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale<\/a>, the Blizzard of \u201996 significantly impacted the Southeast, Ohio Valley, and Northeast regions.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The blizzard cost an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accuweather.com\/en\/weather-news\/blizzard-of-1996-over-150-killed-in-devastating-eastern-us-storm\/100682\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$3 billion<\/a> in damages.<\/li>    <li>The storm and its aftermath \u2014 including widespread flooding from rapid snowmelt \u2014 led to <strong>184 deaths<\/strong>.<\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/media\/publications\/assessments\/bz-mrg.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">60 reported deaths<\/a> occurred during the storm itself, <strong>29<\/strong> of which were caused by <strong>heart attacks from shoveling snow<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Wind gusts blew up to <strong>81 mph<\/strong>, which is considered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/mfl\/saffirsimpson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hurricane-force<\/a> winds.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>NYC <a href=\"https:\/\/gothamist.com\/arts-entertainment\/photos-the-blizzard-of-1996-made-nyc-an-eerie-ghost-town\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">schools closed<\/a> for the first time in almost 2 decades.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"counties-most-impacted-by-the-blizzard-of-96\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Counties most impacted by the Blizzard of \u201996<\/h3>    <section class=\"ll-blizzard\">    <p>Some counties with the highest snowfall during the 1996 blizzard could not be factored into our ranking this year due to a lack of data. Namely, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, which was hit the hardest, receiving <a href=\"https:\/\/nynjpaweather.com\/public\/2024\/01\/05\/the-incredible-east-coast-blizzard-of-1996\/\" target=\"_blank\"> 4 feet of snow<\/a> in some parts of the county.<\/p>    <button class=\"show-more-btn\" type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"ll-blizzard-more\">     Show more   <\/button>    <div class=\"more-content\" id=\"ll-blizzard-more\" hidden>     <p>Out of the counties in our ranking, here were some <a href=\"https:\/\/vlab.noaa.gov\/web\/nws-heritage\/-\/the-blizzard-of-96-in-retrospect-25-years-later\" target=\"_blank\">most impacted by the Blizzard of &#8217;96:<\/a> <\/p>      <div class=\"table-wrap\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Blizzard of 1996 table\" tabindex=\"0\">       <table class=\"blizzard-table\">         <thead>           <tr>             <th>County<\/th>             <th>Highest Recorded Snowfall during Blizzard of &#8217;96<\/th>             <th>Average Monthly Historical Snowfall (November \u2013 April)<\/th>           <\/tr>         <\/thead>         <tbody>           <tr>             <td>Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (No. 114)<br><em>(Philadelphia)<\/em><\/td>             <td>30.7 inches<\/td>             <td>3.85 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>           <tr>             <td>Essex County, New Jersey (No. 106)<br><em>(Newark)<\/em><\/td>             <td>27.8 inches<\/td>             <td>5.22 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>           <tr>             <td>Providence County, Rhode Island (No. 60)<br><em>(Providence)<\/em><\/td>             <td>24 inches<\/td>             <td>6.07 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>           <tr>             <td>Baltimore City, Maryland (No. 121)<\/td>             <td>22.5 inches<\/td>             <td>3.22 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>           <tr>             <td>District of Columbia (No. 143)<br><em>(Washington)<\/em><\/td>             <td>17.1 inches<\/td>             <td>2.28 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>           <tr>             <td>Suffolk County, Massachusetts (No. 76)<br><em>(Boston)<\/em><\/td>             <td>18.2 inches<\/td>             <td>8.17 inches<\/td>           <\/tr>         <\/tbody>       <\/table>     <\/div>   <\/div> <\/section>  <style>   :root {     --ll-green: #0e581d; 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  }    \/* hover state *\/   .show-more-btn:hover {     color: var(--ll-orange);   }   .show-more-btn:hover::after {     border-top-color: var(--ll-orange);   }    \/* open (clicked\/expanded) state *\/   .show-more-btn.expanded {     color: var(--ll-orange);   }   .show-more-btn.expanded::after {     transform: rotate(180deg);     border-top-color: var(--ll-orange);   }    .more-content {     margin-top: 10px;   }    .table-wrap {     overflow-x: auto;     border: 1px solid var(--border);     border-radius: 12px;     background: var(--surface);   }    .blizzard-table {     width: 100%;     border-collapse: collapse;     min-width: 640px;   }    .blizzard-table thead th {     text-align: left;     font-weight: 800;     font-size: 0.95rem;     padding: 14px 14px;     border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);     background: var(--surface);   }    .blizzard-table tbody td {     padding: 14px 14px;     border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);     vertical-align: top;     font-size: 0.98rem;   }    .blizzard-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) td {     background: var(--surface-2);   }    .blizzard-table tbody tr:last-child td {     border-bottom: none;   }    .blizzard-table em {     font-style: italic;     color: rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.75);   }    @media (max-width: 640px) {     .ll-blizzard h2 {       font-size: 1.45rem;     }     .blizzard-table {       min-width: 560px;     }   } <\/style>  <script>\n  (function () {\n    document.querySelectorAll(\".ll-blizzard\").forEach((section, idx) => {\n      const btn = section.querySelector(\".show-more-btn\");\n      const more = section.querySelector(\".more-content\");\n      if (!btn || !more) return;\n\n      if (!more.id) more.id = \"ll-blizzard-more-\" + idx;\n      btn.setAttribute(\"aria-controls\", more.id);\n\n      btn.addEventListener(\"click\", () => {\n        const isOpen = btn.getAttribute(\"aria-expanded\") === \"true\";\n        btn.setAttribute(\"aria-expanded\", String(!isOpen));\n        btn.classList.toggle(\"expanded\", !isOpen);\n        more.hidden = isOpen;\n        btn.textContent = isOpen ? \"Show more\" : \"Show less\";\n      });\n    });\n  })();\n<\/script>    <h3 id=\"personal-recollections-of-the-blizzard-of-96\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal recollections of the Blizzard of \u201996<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Blizzard of \u201996 occurred before my time, but I reached out to some folks who were around to hear their memories of the disaster.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My father was ice fishing with some friends and family members on Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks when snow started piling up so quickly that it took just 30 minutes for their tip-ups to disappear.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe got to the old Rear Wheel Drive van, and it would not start,\u201d he says. \u201cAt that time, a gentleman was plowing out the local garage parking lot. He actually had the part we needed to get the old van running. It was so cold in the van that we fired up the Coleman stove to keep warm for our long ride home.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A family friend heard that the school would be keeping students in for the night due to the blizzard, but \u201cMomma wasn\u2019t having that,\u201d says Crystal Jenkins Miner, so they \u201cgot in the ole Nissan and headed for the schools,\u201d then brought the boys over to a friend\u2019s house where both families were snowed in for 2 days.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen we got home, there was a wall of snow at the driveway entrance, so we went crotch deep in snow to get to the front door. It took HOURS to dig it out enough to even get the truck in the yard. What a storm!\u201d Miner says.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJumping off the front porch roof into the snow\u201d was a highlight for Nicole Samantha, who recalls, \u201cI believe it was right around the same time my brother spinal fractured his leg from hip to ankle on one of those jumps! Those were the days!\u201d<\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"expert-take\"><span id=\"\"><\/span><\/h2>  <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 id=\"expert-take-safe-snow-removal\" class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Expert take: Safe snow removal<\/h2>    <p>Snow and ice can be dangerous to deal with. I learned this the hard way as a kid when I slipped on an icy road after getting off the school bus, breaking 4 of my front teeth and prompting an emergency trip to the dentist.<\/p> <p>Slipping, car accidents, and falling icicles aren\u2019t the only hazards: Snow shoveling can create the perfect storm of cardiovascular stress to cause <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.heart.org\/news\/snow-shoveling-cold-temperatures-combine-for-perfect-storm-of-heart-health-hazards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heart attacks<\/a>. Arm-intensive exercise can be harder on the heart, while cold winter air constricts blood vessels, slowing blood and oxygen movement to the heart.<\/p> <ul> <li>About <strong>11,500 people end up in the ER<\/strong> due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/snow-shovel-heart-attack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">snow shoveling injuries<\/a> each year.<\/li> <li><strong>100 people die<\/strong> each year on average due to<strong> shoveling snow<\/strong>.<\/li> <li>Increased cardiac risk begins at age 45.<\/li> <li>A study based in Quebec found that heavy <strong>snowfall of 7\u20138 inches<\/strong> has been correlated with up to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/health\/snow-heart-1.3979828\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34% increased risk of death<\/a> for men.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>We turned to a panel of snow removal professionals and health experts to learn more about safe snow removal practices. Explore their tips below.<\/p> <ol> <li>What are the top 3 safety tips for homeowners who DIY their snow removal?<\/li> <li>What, if anything, can homeowners do ahead of a snowstorm to make cleanup easier?<\/li> <li>Who should invest in a snowblower? At what snowfall amount does it pay off?<\/li> <li>What are 3 ways snow can damage your home or property, including your lawn?<\/li> <li>At what point should homeowners call professionals instead of removing snow themselves?<\/li> <li>What&#8217;s the typical cost range for residential snow removal (per visit vs. seasonal contract)?<\/li> <\/ol>    <div id=\"experts-container\" class=\"relative lg:mt-6\" x-data=\"experts()\" x-init=\"init()\">      <style>       .expert-avatars {         scrollbar-width: none;         -ms-overflow-style: none;          \/* momentum scroll on iOS *\/         -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;          \/* disbable vertical scroll for touch *\/         touch-action: pan-x;       }        \/* hide scroll bar *\/       .expert-avatars::-webkit-scrollbar {         display: none;       }        .expert-avatars .item {         width: 125px;         flex-shrink: 0;       }        .expert-avatars .item:not(:last-child) {         margin-right: 10px;       }        \/* hacky fix for padding at the end of the.expert-avatars *\/       .expert-avatars .item:last-child {         position: relative;       }        .expert-avatars .item:last-child::after {         position: absolute;         left: 100%;         height: 1px;         width: 20px;         display: block;         content: \"\";       }        .trim-label {         max-height: 18px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials {         max-height: 18px;         width: 250px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials-small {         max-height: 18px;         width: 110px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        [x-cloak] {         display: none;       }     <\/style>      <div class=\"expert-avatars flex overflow-x-scroll overscroll-contain px-2 mb-10 lg:hidden\">                         <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('darin-r-smith', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Darin-Smith.png\" alt=\"Darin Smith\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Darin R. Smith <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">President<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ken-J.-Boegeman.jpg\" alt=\"Ken J. Boegeman\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Ken Boegeman, CSP, ASM <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">President<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('martin-tirado', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Martin-Tirado.jpg\" alt=\"Martin Tirado\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Martin Tirado <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">CEO\/Executive Director<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('dr-alex-loch', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dr.-Alex-Loch.png\" alt=\"Dr. Alex Loch\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Dr. Alex Loch <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Physical Therapist<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-darin-r-smith\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'darin-r-smith', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'darin-r-smith'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('darin-r-smith', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'darin-r-smith', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'darin-r-smith'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('darin-r-smith', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Darin-Smith.png\" alt=\"Darin Smith\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'darin-r-smith'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Darin R. Smith <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'darin-r-smith'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">President<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'darin-r-smith'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">ALPINE SMITH, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'darin-r-smith'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('darin-r-smith', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'darin-r-smith'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('darin-r-smith')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Darin-Smith.png\" alt=\"Darin Smith\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Darin R. Smith <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">President<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">ALPINE SMITH, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What are the top 3 safety tips for homeowners who DIY their snow removal?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Wear appropriate footwear to avoid slips and falls.<\/p> <p>2. Be prepared, stretch, and don\u2019t overstrain yourself.<\/p> <p>3. Be mindful of where the snow is being blown. Look out for gas meters, windows, etc.<\/p> <p><strong>What, if anything, can homeowners do ahead of a snowstorm to make cleanup easier?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Survey the area to be cleared and the area where you will be placing snow to avoid damage.<\/p> <p>2. Clearly mark obstacles.<\/p> <p>3. Clean the area to be cleared of unwanted items, like leaves, pine needles, rocks, dirt, etc.<\/p> <p><strong>Who should invest in a snowblower? At what snowfall amount does it pay off?<\/strong><\/p> <p>This largely depends upon how much you are able to and want to shovel and how much time you have.<\/p> <p><strong>What are 3 ways snow can damage your home or property, including your lawn?<\/strong><\/p> <p>You can easily damage your landscaping by venturing out of the area you intend to clear. You can also damage landscaping, structures, and automobiles by misdirected snow storage, i.e., blowing snow where you should not, and also blowing rocks, dirt, and debris at structures and autos.<\/p> <p><strong>At what point should homeowners call professionals instead of removing snow themselves?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Simply stated, you should consider hiring a pro when the snowfall is larger than your desire or ability to move it.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-ken-boegeman-csp-asm\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ken-J.-Boegeman.jpg\" alt=\"Ken J. Boegeman\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ken Boegeman, CSP, ASM <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">President<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Swinter Group, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('ken-boegeman-csp-asm', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'ken-boegeman-csp-asm'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('ken-boegeman-csp-asm')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ken-J.-Boegeman.jpg\" alt=\"Ken J. Boegeman\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Ken Boegeman, CSP, ASM <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">President<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Swinter Group, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What are the top 3 safety tips for homeowners who DIY their snow removal?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Know your limits: Snow removal can be quite laborious and necessitates hard work in extreme cold conditions. Take whatever steps necessary to make sure you do not injure yourself with heavy lifting or pushing.<\/p> <p>2. Dress for the weather: Be sure you have warm, dry clothing on while shoveling snow.<\/p> <p>3. Beware of hidden ice: It is possible that there may be ice under the snow you are shoveling. Be aware of your footing and take extreme caution to make sure you do not slip and fall.<\/p> <p><strong>What, if anything, can homeowners do ahead of a snowstorm to make cleanup easier?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Make sure your equipment is ready to go. If you are using mechanized equipment (ATV, snowblower, etc.), make sure it is fueled, properly maintained, and functioning properly. If using a shovel, make sure it is in good condition and ready to go.<\/p> <p>2. Have deicing chemicals at the ready. Whether using it as a pre- or post-treatment, having materials ready will save you a trip to the store at a time when road conditions are likely at their worst.<\/p> <p><strong>Who should invest in a snowblower? At what snowfall amount does it pay off?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Anyone who has the means to procure a snowblower or other mechanized means of snow removal would benefit from doing so. Snow blowers in particular are most valuable with snowfall amounts in excess of 1\u201d, so they will have a greater ROI in snowier areas.<\/p> <p><strong>What are 3 ways snow can damage your home or property, including your lawn?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Heavy snow can damage awnings, tents, or other non-structural items on your home. It is best to take these down prior to snowfall or to remove the snow from them to avoid damage.<\/p> <p>2. Deicing materials can damage concrete. The use of the wrong type of deicing material on concrete, pavers, or other cementitious surfaces can lead to little pops (called spalling) that are very, very expensive to repair.<\/p> <p>3. Plow trucks, tractors, or other equipment may damage your lawn. It is a good idea to place flags or other markers along the edge of your driveway so equipment operators are aware of the boundaries.<\/p> <p><strong>At what point should homeowners call professionals instead of removing snow themselves?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Realistically, if any of the above points or suggestions do not make sense to you, or you have any questions, calling a professional is advised. Particularly when it comes to deicing materials \u2014 if you have pets or concrete surfaces you would like to protect, it is important to speak with someone who understands deicing sciences to make sure you are applying the proper type and amount of chemicals.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-martin-tirado\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'martin-tirado', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'martin-tirado'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('martin-tirado', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'martin-tirado', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'martin-tirado'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('martin-tirado', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Martin-Tirado.jpg\" alt=\"Martin Tirado\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'martin-tirado'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Martin Tirado <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'martin-tirado'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">CEO\/Executive Director<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'martin-tirado'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Snow &amp; Ice Management Association, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'martin-tirado'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('martin-tirado', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'martin-tirado'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('martin-tirado')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Martin-Tirado.jpg\" alt=\"Martin Tirado\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Martin Tirado <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">CEO\/Executive Director<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Snow &amp; Ice Management Association, Inc.<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What are the top 3 safety tips for homeowners who DIY their snow removal?<\/strong><\/p> <p>There are several. Want to use the shoveling tips that pros use? See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hsoe8r7Uehs&amp;t=11s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this short video<\/a>.<\/p> <p><strong>What, if anything, can homeowners do ahead of a snowstorm to make cleanup easier? <\/strong><\/p> <p>Pre-storm, make sure you have the proper tools and materials, such as a high-quality shovel and deicing material to melt after shoveling or snowblowing. Appropriate winter weather clothing, including high visibility gear, especially while at the end of your driveway when there is traffic on the road.<\/p> <p><strong>Who should invest in a snowblower? At what snowfall amount does it pay off?<\/strong><\/p> <p>This depends on the size of the area you need to clear of snow and the amount of annual snowfall. This is a personal preference, as people like to choose their own option. Typically, the larger the area that needs snow removal (driveway, front entry, walkways), the more people prefer a snow blower. You still need a shovel and de-icing material to clean up the tight areas that a snow blower cannot reach.<\/p> <p><strong>What are 3 ways snow can damage your home or property, including your lawn?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Ice dams are created by the buildup of snow on roofs and gutters. If this is a problem on your property, you should invest in a roof rake.<\/p> <p>2. Damage to the lawn from not knowing where there are grass and shrubs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pDBRZKCuYqI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stake your property<\/a> to mark where grass and other structures meet paved surfaces.<\/p> <p>3. Overuse of deicing materials, such as rock salt, will kill greenery and erode concrete. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.des.nh.gov\/sites\/g\/files\/ehbemt341\/files\/documents\/2020-01\/wmb-26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Overuse can also harm freshwater sources<\/a>. Use enough to get a safe surface, yet be careful not to overapply. Use the concepts in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3ekQcp-yLTY&amp;t=86s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this video<\/a> to help.<\/p> <p><strong>At what point should homeowners call professionals instead of removing snow themselves?<\/strong><\/p> <p>This is also a personal preference. If you prefer having a professional plow snow at your home, ask your service provider to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.sima.org\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best practices checklist<\/a> from SIMA.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-dr-alex-loch\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'dr-alex-loch', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'dr-alex-loch'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('dr-alex-loch', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'dr-alex-loch', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'dr-alex-loch'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('dr-alex-loch', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dr.-Alex-Loch.png\" alt=\"Dr. Alex Loch\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-alex-loch'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Alex Loch <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-alex-loch'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Physical Therapist<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-alex-loch'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">motivPT <\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'dr-alex-loch'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('dr-alex-loch', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'dr-alex-loch'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('dr-alex-loch')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dr.-Alex-Loch.png\" alt=\"Dr. Alex Loch\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Alex Loch <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Physical Therapist<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">motivPT <\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What are the top 3 safety tips for homeowners who DIY their snow removal?<\/strong><\/p> <p>1. Warm up: Shoveling can be strenuous, and if you jump into a strenuous activity without a light warm-up or gentle stretches, you&#8217;re setting your body up for an injury.<\/p> <p>2. Take breaks: Don&#8217;t force yourself to get it done all at once, especially if it&#8217;s a big snowfall. Do part of it, take 10-15 minutes off, then keep going. Repetitive stress on your back muscles without rest can easily lead to muscle strains.<\/p> <p>3. Don&#8217;t overfill your shovel: If the snow is wet and heavy, that means your shovel gets heavier, which means a lot more force gets placed on your back and spine. For heavier snow, shovel smaller amounts and try pushing the snow when you can instead of repeatedly lifting it.<\/p> <p><strong>What, if anything, can homeowners do ahead of a snowstorm to make cleanup easier?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Clear your area. If there&#8217;s a planter or chair that always gets in the way of your cleanup, move it if you can. It&#8217;ll make the job easier when it comes time to shovel.<\/p> <p>Have your shovels ready to go where you need them, not 100 feet away in the garage, requiring you to stomp through snow before you even start.<\/p> <p><strong>At what point should homeowners call professionals instead of removing snow themselves?<\/strong><\/p> <p>If you don&#8217;t feel up to the job, there&#8217;s no shame in getting assistance. I think of people with known injuries, or balance problems, or those who know they haven&#8217;t prepared their body for a task as strenuous as shoveling can be.<\/p> <p>There are easy ways to get stronger and make shoveling safe \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/motivpt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I do this with clients all the time<\/a> \u2014 but if you haven&#8217;t done so, then getting help with shoveling is far preferred to risking a further injury that could really set your body back.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\"><span id=\"methodology-how-we-ranked-the-snowiest-counties\">Methodology: How we ranked the snowiest counties<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To rank the Snowiest Counties, we compared 213 U.S. counties across 8 metrics.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our metrics covered 3 main themes:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Historical Snowfall<\/strong> (60%): We considered each county\u2019s average monthly historical snowfall for the months of November through April from 1991 to 2020, in addition to record historical snowfall in a single day and over 3 days.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Climate <\/strong>(15%): We factored in the average historical annual temperature and average historical number of extremely cold days (aka days below 32\u00b0F).&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Snow Removal and Preparedness<\/strong> (25%): We considered the number of registered businesses offering snow removal services and equipment, local Google searches for snow-related terms, and the year-over-year difference in Google searches for snow-related terms.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For each of the 213 U.S. counties with available data, we then gathered data on each metric from the sources listed below.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each county to determine its rank in each metric, each category, and overall. A county\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all metrics and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cSnowiest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cLeast Snowy\u201d (No. 213).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notes:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Due to a lack of available data, 45 counties were not included in our ranking this year that were included in previous rankings.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Some metrics and their weights are different compared to analyses from previous years.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Data collection for this story occurred between Nov. 24, 2025, and Dec. 19, 2025.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>The lowest rank among individual factors may not be No. 213 due to ties.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>   <div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 77.44% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/b1162d58-1e61-4fb5-b96b-072ff3e49ec6?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"LL: Methodology Table - 2026's Snowiest Counties\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>    <h3 id=\"sources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.referenceusagov.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Data Axle<\/em><\/a><em>, Google Ads, and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/products\/land-based-station\/comparative-climatic-data\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/em><\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\"><span id=\"cold-hands-warm-snowblower-winter-lawn-care-tips\">Cold hands, warm snowblower: Winter lawn care tips<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Snow is unpredictable. 2025 was one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbf.com\/article\/climate-change-2025-hottest-years\/69882229\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">warmest years on record<\/a>, yet many regions still faced emergency declarations due to winter storms. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/news\/article\/winter-storms-disrupt-holiday-travel-in-2025-with-flight-cancellations-and-delays-all-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">winter storm<\/a> disrupted holiday travel plans at the end of 2025, leading to over 5,000 flight delays and 1,000 cancellations.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important for homeowners to stay prepared ahead of the storm. \u201cMake sure your equipment is ready to go. If you are using mechanized equipment (ATV, snowblower, etc.), make sure it is fueled, properly maintained, and functioning properly,\u201d shares Ken Boegeman, president of Swinter Group, Inc. \u201cIf using a shovel, make sure it is in good condition and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many folks might turn to rock salt and other deicing chemicals to cover driveways, sidewalks, and other hardscapes. However, rock salt is corrosive, and its use causes an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/snep\/winter-coming-and-it-tons-salt-our-roads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$5 billion in repair costs<\/a> annually across the U.S. It\u2019s important to also consider the <a href=\"https:\/\/vjel.vermontlaw.edu\/ecoperspectives-blog\/2024\/12\/melting-away-the-environmental-impacts-of-rock-salt-and-possible-solutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">environmental impacts<\/a> of these chemicals, which can impact local soil, water, and air quality \u2014 and can kill your lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Snow also can damage your turf by suffocating your grass, causing snow mold, and other issues related to lawn flooding. Follow our tips below for a healthy lawn come spring.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"snow-removal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snow Removal<\/h3>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/winter-storm-checklist\/\">Winter Storm Checklist and Snow Removal Tips<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-remove-snow-safely\/\">How to Remove Snow Safely<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/snow-removal-cost\/\">How Much Does Snow Removal Cost in 2026?<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"winter-lawn-damage-prevention-and-recovery\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winter Lawn Damage Prevention and Recovery<\/h3>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-lawn-from-winter-damage\/\">How to Protect Your Lawn From Winter Damage<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/keep-grass-green-in-winter\/\">How to Keep Grass Green in Winter<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-winterize-your-lawn\/\">How to Winterize Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-repair-winter-damage-to-lawn\/\">How to Repair Winter Damage in Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/signs-freeze-damage-on-plants\/\">5 Signs of Freeze Damage on Plants<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-save-plants-after-freeze\/\">How to Save Plants After a Freeze<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-winterkill\/\">What is Winterkill?<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many lawn care professionals undertake snow removal projects to stay busy during the winter season.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Bundle up and let Lawn Love connect you with the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/snow-removal-service\"><em>best snow removal crews near you<\/em><\/a><em>while you stay cozy inside. Here\u2019s hoping we don\u2019t get hit with another major snowstorm the likes of the Blizzard of \u201996 this year.<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"media-resources\">Media resources<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/ll-top-50-snowiest-counties-1hnq41oq08rlp23\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2025\u2019s Snowiest Counties ranking results<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1EF4946j1AAa0jyD03kl0nFl319drfQOgcLx2hbWKzvM\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2024\u2019s Snowiest Counties ranking results<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main photo credit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=1&amp;filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&amp;k=playing+in+snow&amp;order=relevance&amp;limit=100&amp;search_page=1&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;acp=&amp;aco=playing+in+snow&amp;get_facets=1&amp;asset_id=304365982\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studio Romantic<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Snowiest Counties in 2026: 1. Coos County, NH; 2. Erie County, NY; 3. Anchorage Municipality, AK; 4. Yakutat City and Borough, AK; 5. Onondaga County, NY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":36314,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[348],"class_list":["post-20836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies","tag-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AdobeStock_304365982-1.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sav Maive","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sav-maive\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20836"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43949,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20836\/revisions\/43949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}