Which states have the highest winter storms risk?

Alaska currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.

Does homeowners insurance cover winter storms?

Weight of ice and snow is often covered; flood from a burst pipe or ice jam may need extra coverage. Frozen-pipe exclusions show up when heat was off.

How should I use this ranking?

Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Winter Storms Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness

Severe winter weather brings ice, heavy snow, power outages and dangerous cold.

How to prepare your home

Insulate pipes and let faucets drip during extreme cold to prevent freezing.
Service your heating system yearly and install carbon monoxide detectors.
Keep emergency heat sources and extra blankets available.
Stock food, water, medications and flashlights for multi-day outages.
Clear heavy snow from roofs when safe to prevent structural stress.

Official sources

All states ranked by winter storms risk

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full winter storms briefing and source links.

Alaska In Alaska, winter storms are a five-out-of-five risk, so your house has to handle snow, wind, ice, and cold… Very High Maine Maine is the coldest and snowiest state in New England and is rated at the highest risk level (5 of 5) for… Very High Minnesota Minnesota has one of the longest and harshest winter storm seasons in the country, bringing blizzards, ice… Very High Montana Montana is rated 5 out of 5 for winter storm risk due to its northern latitude and mountainous terrain.… Very High New Hampshire New Hampshire is rated 5 out of 5 for winter storm risk, with nor'easters, heavy snow, ice storms and extreme… Very High North Dakota North Dakota's northern Great Plains location makes it one of the most winter-storm-prone states in the… Very High South Dakota South Dakota is one of the most winter-storm-prone states in the country, rated 5 out of 5 for this hazard.… Very High Vermont Vermont is rated 5 out of 5 for winter storm risk. The state experiences frequent heavy snow, ice storms, and… Very High Wisconsin Winter storms are a major hazard in Wisconsin, bringing heavy snow, ice, blizzards, and dangerous cold from… Very High Wyoming If you own a home in Wyoming, winter storms are not a maybe—they are the main event, with blizzards, ice,… Very High Colorado Colorado winter storms can dump feet of snow on the Front Range and then freeze your pipes overnight. The… High Connecticut Connecticut winter storms aren't just snow days — they're ice dams, downed trees, and outages that can run… High Idaho In Idaho, winter storms are a real threat—from heavy snow in the Panhandle to ice storms in the Treasure… High Illinois Illinois winters can drop a foot of snow on Chicagoland and glaze southern Illinois with ice in the same… High Indiana Indiana gets a level 4 out of 5 for winter storm risk, so you should expect ice, heavy snow, and frozen pipes… High Iowa Iowa winters can throw ice, snow, and wind at your house, and the statewide risk is high enough that you… High Kansas Kansas winter storms bring ice, snow, and freeze risk that can damage your home. Your insurance may not cover… High Massachusetts Massachusetts is rated 4 out of 5 for winter storm risk. Nor'easters, blizzards, and ice storms can bring… High Michigan Michigan experiences significant winter storm risks, including heavy lake-effect snow, ice storms, and… High Nebraska Winter storms are a routine and serious hazard in Nebraska, where blizzards, heavy snow, ice accumulations… High New York New York experiences some of the most varied and severe winter weather in the country, from lake-effect snow… High Ohio Ohio faces a significant risk from winter storms, rated 4 out of 5. The state experiences heavy snow, ice,… High Pennsylvania Pennsylvania experiences a range of winter storms, from lake-effect snow in the northwest to ice storms and… High Rhode Island Rhode Island is rated level 4 out of 5 for winter storm risk. Nor'easters, heavy wet snow, ice storms, high… High West Virginia West Virginia's mountainous terrain and elevation make it highly vulnerable to severe winter storms,… High Delaware Winter storms in Delaware are a moderate risk—a 3 out of 5—with nor'easters bringing snow, ice, and… Moderate District of Columbia Winter storms in the District of Columbia are less about buried cabins and more about ice, sleet, and the… Moderate Kentucky Kentucky winters can bring ice, snow, and freezing rain that knock out power and damage homes. If you're… Moderate Maryland Maryland experiences a wide range of winter weather, from heavy mountain snow in western Maryland to ice… Moderate Missouri Missouri faces a moderate risk of winter storms, which can bring heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold. These… Moderate New Jersey New Jersey's winter storm risk is rated 3 out of 5. Nor'easters and coastal low-pressure systems bring heavy… Moderate Oklahoma Winter storms in Oklahoma bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain that can cause power outages, treacherous… Moderate Utah Utah's winter storms deliver heavy mountain and valley snow, lake-effect snowbands off the Great Salt Lake,… Moderate Virginia Winter storms in Virginia bring snow, ice, and freezing rain, with impacts varying from heavy snow in the… Moderate Washington Washington experiences a range of winter storm hazards, from heavy mountain snow and avalanches in the… Moderate Alabama Winter storms in Alabama are relatively infrequent but can bring ice, snow, and freezing rain, especially in… Low Arizona Arizona's winter storm risk is rated 2 out of 5 statewide, but that average hides the high country —… Low Arkansas Arkansas winter storms are mostly ice, not snow, and that's why the state sits at a level 2 risk out of 5.… Low California Winter storms in California are mostly about snow in the mountains and rain that turns into floods and… Low Georgia Georgia’s winter storm risk is a 2 out of 5, but that undersells the ice. If you own a home from the North… Low Nevada Winter storms in Nevada bring snow, ice, and extreme cold, primarily affecting the mountains and northern… Low New Mexico Winter storms in New Mexico are shaped mainly by elevation: mountain ranges and the northeast high plains see… Low North Carolina North Carolina experiences a range of winter weather, from heavy snow in the mountains to dangerous ice… Low Oregon Oregon's winter storms range from heavy mountain snow in the Cascades and Blue Mountains to damaging freezing… Low Tennessee Winter storms in Tennessee most often arrive as a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, and ice is frequently… Low Texas Texas is rated level 2 of 5 for winter storm risk. While winter storms are less frequent than in northern… Low Florida Florida won't often make national news for winter storms, but a hard freeze or ice event in the Panhandle or… Very Low Hawaii In Hawaii, winter storms are a level 1 risk, so most homes will never see snow or ice. But if you live up on… Very Low Louisiana Louisiana doesn't get many winter storms, but when freezing rain or sleet does hit—especially in north… Very Low Mississippi Winter storms are a relatively low overall risk in Mississippi, but the state's mild winters can still… Very Low South Carolina Winter storms in South Carolina are relatively rare but can bring damaging ice, sleet, and occasional snow.… Very Low

Official maps for winter storms

About these rankings

Which states have the highest winter storms risk?: Alaska currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover winter storms?: Weight of ice and snow is often covered; flood from a burst pipe or ice jam may need extra coverage. Frozen-pipe exclusions show up when heat was off.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

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