As of January 30th, Anchorage has already received an unprecedented 104.9 inches of snow, marking the earliest occurrence of the city reaching 100 inches or more of snow, surpassing this milestone on the 29th not to mention the brutal cold temps we’ve been experiencing.

It’s safe to say that Alaska has witnessed an extraordinary amount of snowfall in the past, and the people of Anchorage, Alaska, are likely voicing their frustration with this relentless phenomenon. Anchorage not only surpassed its previous snowfall record of 132.6 inches, which had stood since the winter of 1954-1955 but also managed to accumulate a staggering 134.5 inches during the 2011-2012 season. On the Upper Hillside of Anchorage, Alaska, snowfall measurements reached approximately 215-225 inches, a remarkable achievement.

This exceptional snowfall can be attributed to a series of powerful storms and exceptionally cold temperatures that swept through Alaska during the 2011-2012 season. While most of the United States enjoyed above-average temperatures, Alaska and Europe endured an uncommonly severe cold snap.

Photos courtesy of Anchorage Daily News, Alaska News Source, and Alaska Public Media.