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When does it first snow in Beckley, WV?

At Beckley, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 19. 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 28, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 8 or later. The earliest was Oct 21 (2018-19) and the latest Jan 4 (2015-16). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 4, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 18, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 25.

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 19Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 4Median first 1"+ snowfall

49.3"Average snowfall per season

26%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 18Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 25Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

172Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Beckley

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 19	Oct 28 – Dec 8	Oct 21 (2018-19)	Jan 4 (2015-16)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 4	Nov 4 – Jan 1	Oct 23 (1999-00)	Jan 20 (2015-16)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 28	Nov 22 – Jan 19	Oct 29 (2012-13)	Mar 5 (2000-01)	96%

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)	19%	74%	96%
1"+	11%	48%	89%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 7 (median).

White Christmas odds in Beckley

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, Beckley had that in 26% of years, at least 3 inches in 15%, and at least 6 inches in 7%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.0 inches and the deepest was 10 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 18 (46%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Beckley

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 8 – Oct 30	Oct 2 (1997) / Nov 12 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 25	Apr 15 – May 11	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 31	Oct 12 – Nov 12	Oct 3 (2003) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 13	Mar 31 – 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: Beckley Raleigh Co Ap (USW00003872), elevation 2,494 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 West Virginia (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).