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When does it first snow in Aberdeen, SD?

At Aberdeen, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 2. That is the median over the last 30 snow seasons: half of seasons saw it earlier, half later. In about 1 season in 10 it came by Oct 10, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 24 or later. The earliest was Sep 21 (1995-96) and the latest Dec 6 (2004-05). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 19, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 26, and the last freeze of spring around May 12.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; no 32°F freeze recorded yet at this station. Compare with the typical dates above. This is observed data and can lag by a day or two, and it is not a forecast.

Nov 2Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 19Median first 1"+ snowfall

40.2"Average snowfall per season

60%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 26Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 12Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

144Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Aberdeen

First day with…	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest in 30 seasons	Latest in 30 seasons	Seasons with one
0.1" of snow or more (measurable)	Nov 2	Oct 10 – Nov 24	Sep 21 (1995-96)	Dec 6 (2004-05)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 19	Oct 19 – Dec 29	Oct 10 (2018-19)	Jan 20 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 10	Nov 9 – Feb 20	Oct 22 (2002-03)	Apr 1 (2024-25)	100%

Based on 30 seasons (July–June, 1995-96 to 2024-25) with at least 85% complete daily snowfall records at the station. Dates are for a single day’s snowfall, so "1 inch" means one calendar day with 1" or more, not total accumulation.

Chance the first snow has already happened by a given date

Snowfall	By Nov 1	By Dec 1	By Jan 1
0.1"+ (measurable)	47%	97%	100%
1"+	27%	67%	93%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 11 (median).

White Christmas odds in Aberdeen

NOAA defines a white Christmas as at least 1 inch of snow on the ground on the morning of December 25. Using the last 30 years of daily snow-depth records (1995–2024) at this station, Aberdeen had that in 60% of years, at least 3 inches in 33%, and at least 6 inches in 23%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 3.4 inches and the deepest was 20 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 23% of years. Based on 30 years with a recorded depth on Dec 25.

Chance of at least 1 inch of snow on the ground, by date

Share of the last 30 years with 1"+ snow depth within 3 days of each date. Snow cover is most likely around Jan 3 (81%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Aberdeen

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 26	Sep 15 – Oct 8	Sep 9 (2020) / Oct 14 (2010)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 12	Apr 24 – May 22	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 8	Sep 23 – Oct 19	Sep 20 (1995) / Oct 24 (2007)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 27	Apr 17 – May 15	–	100%

Based on the station’s daily minimum temperature, 1995–2024. “Freeze” here means a daily low at or below the threshold, which is not the same as visible frost. Your yard can differ by several degrees and days from an airport weather station, so use these as planning odds, not guarantees.

The median stretch between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze (the freeze-free season) was about 144 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Aberdeen (USW00014929), elevation 1,383 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

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