When will the first snow fall in the United States?

According to the article, the timing of the first snowfall varies across the country. While much of the West has already seen snow in the mountains, the East is still waiting for winter's arrival. The Great Lakes region is notorious for early season lake-effect snowfall, which can begin in late October or November.

What are the snowiest places in America?

The article states that the high mountain ranges of the West Coast of America are considered the snowiest places in America, and possibly in the world, according to weather historian Christopher Burt.

How much snow can the Great Lakes region receive in early winter?

The article mentions that the Great Lakes region's "infamous snow belts" can produce "incredible early season snowfalls," such as the epic event in November 2014 that dumped over 5 feet of snow in areas just east of Buffalo, New York.

Home / Weather / Snowfall Sweeps Across the West as East Awaits Winter's Arrival

Snowfall Sweeps Across the West as East Awaits Winter's Arrival

17 Oct, 2025

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Summary

Much of the West has already seen snow in the mountains
The Great Lakes region is notorious for early season lake-effect snowfall
Northern Maine is the only spot in the East that's picked up measurable snow so far

Snowfall Sweeps Across the West as East Awaits Winter's Arrival

As of October 17, 2025, the winter forecast is starting to take shape, and some parts of the country have already seen their first snowfall. A federal weather data map shows that much of the western United States, particularly the northern Rockies and Sierra Nevada, has already experienced snow in the mountains. This is not unusual, as the snow season begins much earlier in the higher elevations of the western U.S. compared to other regions.

In fact, the high mountain ranges of the West Coast are considered the snowiest places in America, and possibly the world, according to weather historian Christopher Burt. Meanwhile, the rest of the country is still waiting for winter's arrival. The only spot in the East that has picked up measurable snow so far is northern Maine.