Does it snow in Branson, Missouri? Branson is an awesome place to go on vacation no matter when you decide to go.
Every season has its own unique beauty and exciting experiences in this part of the world.
However, it is natural to ask, “Will it snow in Branson Missouri?” And when should you plan your visit to have the best experience?
Yes, it does snow in Branson, MO but usually stays below 4 inches a year, so you have to look for different winter activities to keep you entertained.
Let’s find out more…
More about the Climate in Branson, Missouri
Branson, MO has a hot and humid climate in the summer and cold in the winter.
The city has four different seasons.
- In the winter, it gets pretty cold with temperatures around 30°F on average.
- In the summer, it can get really hot, with temperatures reaching around 90°F.
In this place, it usually rains about 43 inches every year. The rain mostly happens during the warmer months, from April to September.
Here is more about the average temperature in Branson:
Month | Avg High Temp | Average Low Tempt |
January | High 42° F | Low 22° F |
February | High 47° F | Low 26° F |
March | High 56° F | Low 34° F |
April | High 68° F | Low 45° F |
May | High 75° F | Low 54° F |
June | High 84° F | Low 63° F |
July | High 89° F | Low 67° F |
August | High 88° F | Low 65° F |
September | High 80° F | Low 58° F |
October | High 70° F | Low 47° F |
November | High 56° F | Low 35° F |
December | High 45° F | Low 26° F |
Fact: In January, Branson gets really cold at night, with an average temperature of 22.0°, and it is hotter here than most places in Missouri.
Does It Snow in Branson Missouri?
Yes, it does, but how much does it snow in Branson, Missouri? Not much, really!
In the winter, it usually snows a little bit in Missouri, with only about 4 inches or less of snowfall each year.
It can snow in Branson between November and February, but usually not more than a couple of inches at a time.
In Branson, they do not get much snow. It only happens about three to five times during the winter, and when it does snow, it does not stick around for long.
As soon as the sun comes out, it usually melts away.
Here is what you might experience some snowfall in the area:
Month | Typical Snowfall |
October | Very Rare |
November | Occasional in the latter half |
December | Common throughout the month |
January | Common throughout the month |
February | Not uncommon, typically light dusting |
Comparing Branson Weather with the Country
In Branson, Missouri, they usually get about 45 inches of rain each year, more than the average amount of rain in the United States.
On the other hand, Branson does not get a lot of snow. They only get about 8 inches per year, much less than the average 28 inches in the country.
In Branson, it rains, snows, sleets, or hails about 94 days every year. To officially measure precipitation, it needs to reach at least 0.01 inches on the ground.
Climate Average | United States | Branson |
Rainfall | 38.1 in. | 45.1 in. |
Snowfall | 27.8 in. | 8.4 in. |
Precipitation | 106.2 days | 93.5 days |
Sunny | 205 days | 209 days |
Avg. July High | 85.8° | 88.7° |
Avg. Jan. Low | 21.7° | 22.0° |
Elevation | 2443 ft. | 774 ft. |
During the summer months in Branson, the air can feel really sticky and uncomfortable because of the high humidity, and July is especially sticky and muggy.
What Are Winters Like in Branson, Missouri?
In Branson, Missouri, winters are cold and there is a lot of holiday cheer, especially in November and December.
In December, the weather can get pretty cold with highs around 45°F and lows around 26°F.
It might snow from November to February, but usually it is not a lot and rarely piles up more than two inches at once.
What makes Branson different is that the snow usually disappears fast when the sun comes out, so it is not as snowy as other places in winter.
Fact: In Branson, it gets below freezing for about 106.2 days each year, which is pretty normal compared to other places in Missouri.
Why Is Snowfall Rare in Branson, Missouri?
Branson, Missouri is a really nice place in the Ozark Mountains that lots of people like to visit.
It is famous for its live shows, pretty views, and fun outside activities. But one interesting thing about the weather here is that it does not get much snow in the winter.
Here is a bit more about why snow is so rare in the area:
Southern Location
Branson is located in the southern part of the United States, specifically around 36 degrees North latitude.
This means Branson is situated near the area where big snow storms usually happen, but these storms usually move towards the north.
Cities farther north, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, tend to get more snow in the winter.
Fact: Branson's weather is warmer because it is located in the southern region, so there is less chance of snow.
Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico
Branson does not get much snow because it is close to the Gulf of Mexico, which is about 400 miles to the south.
The Gulf’s warm waters make the weather in the area warmer and more humid, especially in winter.
When winds blow from the south, it can make the weather warmer and cause rain instead of snow in Branson.
Influence of Lake Taneycomo
Lake Taneycomo runs right next to Branson. It helps to keep the city’s temperatures in check.
Lakes like Lake Taneycomo help keep the local weather more consistent by stopping big changes in temperature.
As a result, this can make it less likely to have really cold temperatures needed for a lot of snow to fall.
Ozark Region Geography
The way the land is shaped in the Ozarks area affects how much snow Branson gets.
The Ozarks do not have the tall mountains like the Rockies do, so they do not get as much heavy snow.
The mountains around here are not very tall; they only go up to about 2,500 feet.
If there aren’t any tall mountains to push the air upwards, then weather systems with lots of moisture will not be able to make as much heavy snow in one area.
Fact: The Ozarks region has hills and valleys that sometimes bring in dry air, which makes it harder for snow to form because there is not enough moisture.
Frequent Mixing of Precipitation Type
In the winter, Branson is usually in a place where it is not too cold and not too warm.
This means that different types of rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation can happen often and the weather can change a lot as storms pass by.
In Branson, it is not unusual to have rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow all happening at the same time during a storm.
When different things mix together, it makes it harder for a lot of snow to fall for a long time.
Influence of the Jet Stream
The way the polar jet stream is positioned often means that Branson usually gets less heavy snow compared to other areas.
Big winter storms form when really cold and warm air come together along a fast-moving air current called the polar jet stream.
However, slight changes in the jet’s direction decide whether Branson will end up on the snowy side of the boundary or not.
When the jet’s path changes, it can cause more snow to fall in Branson, even though it is usually just outside the area where the heaviest snow falls to the north and east.
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to go to Branson is in November and December when the whole town gets super festive.
It may not turn into a magical winter wonderland, but there is still a lot to see and do at this time of the year.
Keep in mind that the months from June to August are a really busy time for this place which is great for families.
Lots of people come to visit during this time, so it can get really crowded and hot.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Branson Missouri? Even though it does not snow much in Branson, the city’s weather has its own special charm that people enjoy.
Knowing about these things helps us understand the weather here and how it can be different in different places in the Ozarks.
But, snow or no snow, you will still have loads of fun exploring so much that Branson has to offer.