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Winter in Sumter County, Alabama
12 winter storms and snow events in the NCEI Storm Events record, 1950 to 2026. Event types counted: Winter Storm, Winter Weather, Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Ice Storm, Lake-Effect Snow, Sleet.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. Storm records through 30 Jun 2026.
Sumter County, Alabama, has 12 winter events in the NCEI record since 1950, with at least one in 10 different years.
January is the busiest month, with 6 of the recorded events. The last 20 years account for 8 events against 4 in the 20 years before, a change that reflects reporting practice as much as weather.
The county holds 0.8% of the 1,470 winter events recorded in Alabama; its 1.3 per 100 square miles compares with 2.9 statewide.
Some winter weather and high wind events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county; zone-recorded events whose zone is named for the county are included and marked "Forecast zone" in the table.
Compared with Alabama
| Measure | Sumter County | Alabama | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter events since 1950 | 12 | 1,470 | 287,339 |
| Per 100 square miles | 1.3 | 2.9 | 8.1 |
| Per 10,000 residents | 9.9 | 2.9 | 8.7 |
| Deaths recorded | 0 | 24 | 2,509 |
| Busiest month | January | January | January |
By year
Seasonality
6Feb
4Mar
0Apr
0May
0Jun
0Jul
0Aug
0Sep
0Oct
0Nov
0Dec
2
Recorded events
All 12 events, most recent first. Magnitude is hail size, tornado rating or wind speed as recorded.
| Date | Event type | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan 2022 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Dec 2017 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Feb 2015 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 6 Feb 2014 | Winter Weather | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Jan 2014 | Winter Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 9 Jan 2011 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 12 Feb 2010 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 19 Jan 2008 | Heavy Snow | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Jan 2000 | Winter Storm | — | $20K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 23 Dec 1998 | Ice Storm | — | — | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 1996 | Winter Storm | — | $15K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 6 Jan 1996 | Winter Storm | — | $10K | $1K | — | — | Forecast zone |
Questions and answers
How many winter events has Sumter County had?
12 events in the NCEI Storm Events record between 1950 and 2026. Reporting of winter storms and snow became far more complete after 1996, so early decades undercount.
When was the last recorded winter event in Sumter County?
16 Jan 2022 (Heavy Snow). Records reach NCEI about 120 days after the month ends.
What was the most damaging winter event recorded in Sumter County?
The winter storm of 27 Jan 2000, with property damage estimated by NCEI at $20K.
How does Sumter County compare with Alabama for winter?
1.3 events per 100 square miles against 2.9 statewide; the county holds 12 of the state's 1,470 recorded events.
Provenance
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026, public domain. County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county (marked "Forecast zone"). Population and area from the US Census Bureau (2021). Built 1 Oct 2026. See the methodology, the Winter hub and the county page.