It's a bit strange to think that the US has a list of places with the "worst" weather, but stranger things have happened. Most of this happens in the winter when the snow is heavy and the ice is strong, leading to complete shutdowns of towns within the storm path. However, not every bad-weather destination is due to massive amounts of snow and below-zero temps... Some are just subject to poor coordinates and a tendency to flood.
Mother Nature is capable of some intense things and the weather is only one of them. These cities have experienced the brunt of her force and know just how much a change in the atmosphere can alter what happens on the ground. From insane thunderstorms to being practically buried under snow, these cities experience it all.
Marquette, Michigan
Not only is Michigan home to a Great Lake which causes issues in itself, but it's also pretty far north. This city alone sees an average of more than 200 inches of snow, which is almost 17 feet of snow per year. The sheer amount of snow that this part of Michigan gets is enough to boost it to the top of the worst-winter-weather list, as it usually doesn't disappear very quickly.
For a solid portion of the winter and some of the spring, Marquette remains under the snow. The longest streak was for 90 days in 1997 - from January to April - where the city was under a solid 30 inches of snow.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Not surprisingly is Alaska. Anyone who has watched Ice Road Truckers or The Last Alaskans is likely familiar with the fact that these winters are brutal.
Not only is Alaska somewhat isolated in location, but its winters also bring with them a variety of challenges. It's not uncommon for Fairbanks to see below-freezing temperatures for 100 days or more through the coldest part of the year. The Bering Sea doesn't help matters, freezes over, and brings winds that drive temperatures down during the winter months.
Great Falls, Montana
Montana is unique in the sense that they've seen snow days long before the rest of the country has. In the past, they've gotten snowstorms as early as September, bringing with them nearly 20 inches of snow. Great Falls, in particular, sees very high accumulations of snow, so much so that experts were concerned about avalanches.
Not only do they see incredible heights from their snow-topped hills, but they also see the fluffy white precipitation well into May, which usually signifies the end of frigid temperatures and snowstorms.
Jackson, Mississippi
While snow isn't an issue in Jackson, rain certainly is. Flooding is a fairly normal occurrence there, where they can see upwards of 25 inches of rain well into June. The rivers in this region are prone to flooding as well, causing localized problems for those who live near them. This, combined with the fact that Mississippi is well within the collision path of hurricanes during the season, make for some pretty nasty weather days.
The Pearl River is particularly prone to flooding and has flooded an entire town when the water crested above sea level. Humid and hot temperatures also create a volatile force in the summer, leading to thunderstorms and tornadoes.