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When does it first snow in Alpena (Wastewater Plant), MI?

At Alpena (Wastewater Plant), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 24. 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 5, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 12 or later. The earliest was Oct 14 (2006-07) and the latest Dec 22 (2011-12). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 25, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 20, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 28.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Aug 31, 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 24Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 25Median first 1"+ snowfall

59.0"Average snowfall per season

67%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 20Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

172Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Alpena (Wastewater Plant)

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 24	Nov 5 – Dec 12	Oct 14 (2006-07)	Dec 22 (2011-12)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 25	Nov 10 – Dec 12	Nov 3 (1999-00)	Dec 30 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 6	Nov 25 – Jan 2	Nov 11 (2006-07)	Jan 10 (2023-24)	96%

Based on 25 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)	8%	76%	100%
1"+	0%	72%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 26 (median).

White Christmas odds in Alpena (Wastewater Plant)

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 (Wastewater Plant) had that in 67% of years, at least 3 inches in 44%, and at least 6 inches in 33%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 5.8 inches and the deepest was 31 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 21% of years. Based on 27 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 21 (96%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Alpena (Wastewater Plant)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 20	Oct 5 – Nov 2	Oct 2 (1999) / Nov 12 (2022)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 28	Apr 15 – May 13	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 12 – Nov 19	Oct 5 (1999) / Nov 27 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 14	Mar 30 – Apr 28	–	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 172 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Alpena Wwtp (USW00014814), elevation 590 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

Planning for winter? Heat pump vs gas furnace, propane and oil: heating cost in Michigan (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).