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When does it first snow in Anchorage, AK?

At Anchorage, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 17. 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 Sep 29, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 8 or later. The earliest was Sep 21 (1996-97) and the latest Nov 13 (2002-03). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 25, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 28, and the last freeze of spring around May 5.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 15, 2026): first measurable snow Oct 1; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 1 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.

Oct 17Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 25Median first 1"+ snowfall

78.8"Average snowfall per season

100%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 28Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 5Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

148Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Anchorage

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)	Oct 17	Sep 29 – Nov 8	Sep 21 (1996-97)	Nov 13 (2002-03)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 25	Oct 10 – Nov 10	Sep 25 (2004-05)	Nov 18 (2002-03)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 8	Oct 17 – Dec 11	Sep 25 (2004-05)	Feb 4 (1995-96)	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)	83%	100%	100%
1"+	63%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 15 (median).

White Christmas odds in Anchorage

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, Anchorage had that in 100% of years, at least 3 inches in 93%, and at least 6 inches in 77%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 12.2 inches and the deepest was 29 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 37% 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 15 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Anchorage

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 28	Sep 19 – Oct 8	Sep 14 (2004) / Oct 28 (2018)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 5	Apr 25 – May 17	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 8	Sep 24 – Oct 19	Sep 19 (2003) / Oct 29 (2018)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 11 – May 5	–	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 148 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Anchorage Ted Stevens Intl Ap (USW00026451), elevation 125 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 Alaska (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).