This MI Town Is Among Snowiest In Nation

MARQUETTE, MI — A northern Michigan town is among the snowiest places in the nation, according to a new ranking from The Weather Channel.

Marquette, which is located in the Upper Peninsula along the shores of Lake Superior, was ranked the fifth-snowiest place in the nation.

Marquette averages 196.8 inches of snow a year, with January its average snowiest month 42.1 inches yearly, according to The Weather Channel.

Marquette's snowiest day on record was March 14, 1997, with 26.2 inches. On March 15, 1997, the city had a record snow depth of 63 inches, according to The Weather Channel.

"Cold winds have a much longer route, or fetch, to blow over Lake Superior into Marquette than other parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. And with the longest fetch being from a north or northwest direction, Marquette can see lake-effect snow bands last for days after a cold front passes through," The Weather Channel said.

To determine the ranking, The Weather Channel only included towns and cities with a population of at least 1,000 as of the last census. The group did not look at unincorporated towns, mountains, ski resorts, national parks and ranger stations.

In addition, only one town from each state was ranked, so that one state didn't dominate the list.

"Strictly speaking, it's not the snowiest 10 cities in the U.S. But we think it's a more interesting list getting more states involved," The Weather Channel said.

Here are the top ten snowiest towns in the nation:

1. Valdez, Alaska (325.3 inches annually)
2. Sherman, New York (224.5 inches)
3. Truckee, California (206.6 inches)
4. Crested Butte, Colorado (203 inches)
5. Marquette, Michigan (196.8 inches)
6. Lead, South Dakota (183.9 inches)
7. Terra Alta, West Virginia (171.1 inches)
8. Hurley, Wisconsin (155 inches)
9. Snyderville, Utah (152.9 inches)
10. Red Lodge, Montana (141.9 inches)