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When does it first snow in Alpena, MI?

At Alpena, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 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 Oct 18, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 23 or later. The earliest was Oct 7 (2001-02) and the latest Nov 30 (2009-10). 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 Oct 3, and the last freeze of spring around May 18.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 6 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 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 19Median first 1"+ snowfall

77.0"Average snowfall per season

75%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 3Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 18Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

138Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Alpena

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 8	Oct 18 – Nov 23	Oct 7 (2001-02)	Nov 30 (2009-10)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 19	Oct 31 – Dec 8	Oct 7 (2001-02)	Dec 29 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 1	Nov 9 – Jan 5	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Jan 15 (2001-02)	100%

Based on 27 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)	26%	100%	100%
1"+	15%	74%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 12 (median).

White Christmas odds in Alpena

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, Alpena had that in 75% of years, at least 3 inches in 57%, and at least 6 inches in 32%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 4.7 inches and the deepest was 22 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 36% of years. Based on 28 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 5 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Alpena

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 3	Sep 19 – Oct 22	Sep 10 (1995) / Oct 26 (2017)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 18	May 8 – May 30	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 4 – Oct 29	Sep 24 (1995) / Nov 4 (2012)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 3	Apr 27 – May 18	–	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 138 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Alpena Co Rgnl Ap (USW00094849), elevation 683 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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