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When does it first snow in Allentown, PA?

At Allentown, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 8. 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 Nov 15, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 6 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Jan 13 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 13, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 19, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 28.

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.

Dec 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 13Median first 1"+ snowfall

32.3"Average snowfall per season

21%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 19Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 28Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

173Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Allentown

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)	Dec 8	Nov 15 – Jan 6	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 13 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 13	Nov 24 – Jan 20	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Feb 9 (2016-17)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 29	Nov 28 – Feb 17	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Mar 14 (1998-99)	90%

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)	3%	33%	80%
1"+	3%	27%	70%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 16 (median).

White Christmas odds in Allentown

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, Allentown had that in 21% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.5 inches and the deepest was 6 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 3% of years. Based on 29 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 Feb 11 (43%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Allentown

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 19	Oct 4 – Nov 2	Sep 29 (2000) / Nov 7 (2017)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 28	Apr 13 – May 15	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 18 – Nov 11	Oct 9 (2001) / Nov 14 (2022)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 6	Mar 26 – Apr 17	–	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 173 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Allentown Lehigh Vly Intl Ap (USW00014737), elevation 385 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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