Home › Alaska › Bettles

When does it first snow in Bettles, AK?

At Bettles, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Sep 27. 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 14, and in 1 in 10 not until Oct 8 or later. The earliest was Sep 10 (2003-04) and the latest Oct 12 (1995-96). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 5, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Aug 25, and the last freeze of spring around May 23.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): first measurable snow Sep 29; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 3 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.

Sep 27Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 5Median first 1"+ snowfall

96.7"Average snowfall per season

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

Aug 25Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 23Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

90Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Bettles

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)	Sep 27	Sep 14 – Oct 8	Sep 10 (2003-04)	Oct 12 (1995-96)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 5	Sep 17 – Oct 22	Sep 11 (1996-97)	Oct 28 (2006-07)	100%
3" of snow or more	Oct 26	Sep 23 – Dec 30	Sep 17 (2019-20)	Feb 18 (1995-96)	96%

Based on 28 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)	100%	100%	100%
1"+	100%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around May 5 (median).

White Christmas odds in Bettles

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, Bettles had that in 100% of years, at least 3 inches in 100%, and at least 6 inches in 96%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 19.0 inches and the deepest was 45 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 34% 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 Nov 1 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Bettles

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Aug 25	Aug 15 – Sep 6	Aug 2 (2009) / Sep 13 (2023)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 23	May 15 – Jun 14	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 14	Aug 29 – Sep 25	Aug 24 (2002) / Sep 30 (1995)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 15	May 6 – May 23	–	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 90 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Bettles Ap (USW00026533), elevation 645 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).