Abstract: The study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the variation characteristics of the winter heavy snow frequency in north China and the relationship between the winter heavy snow frequency in north China and sea surface temperature, thus to serve winter agricultural facilities. Based on the daily precipitation data of 282 observational stations in north China and NCEP reanalysis data, the winter heavy snow frequency in north China was calculated, the spatial and temporal features of the winter heavy snow frequency were analyzed. Results showed that: during the recent 51 years, the winter heavy snow frequency in north China was descending, and presented an obvious inter-decadal variation characteristic. The first EOF mode of heavy snow frequency presented a consistent variation characteristic in the entire region, the second EOF mode presented “ - ” pattern, the first time coefficients appeared an obvious inter-decadal variation characteristic. The key SST regions of the first EOF mode were respectively the tropical Indian Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. There was a close relationship between the second EOF mode and El Nino. The key SST regions of the inter-decadal component of the first EOF mode were respectively Oyashio, the tropical Indian Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. There was a close relationship between the inter-decadal component of the second EOF mode and PDO.