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When does it first snow in Billings, MT?

At Billings, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 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 Sep 30, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 18 or later. The earliest was Sep 19 (1995-96) and the latest Nov 20 (2015-16). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 27, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 8, and the last freeze of spring around May 6.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 11 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 19Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 27Median first 1"+ snowfall

57.9"Average snowfall per season

47%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 8Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 6Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

156Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Billings

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 19	Sep 30 – Nov 18	Sep 19 (1995-96)	Nov 20 (2015-16)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 27	Oct 3 – Nov 20	Sep 20 (1995-96)	Dec 19 (1999-00)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 9	Oct 9 – Jan 14	Sep 22 (2000-01)	Feb 25 (1999-00)	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)	70%	100%	100%
1"+	60%	97%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 23 (median).

White Christmas odds in Billings

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, Billings had that in 47% of years, at least 3 inches in 27%, and at least 6 inches in 10%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.7 inches and the deepest was 8 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 27% 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 12 (55%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Billings

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 8	Sep 26 – Oct 25	Sep 12 (2014) / Oct 28 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 6	Apr 23 – May 22	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 5 – Oct 31	Sep 21 (1995) / Nov 11 (2015)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 19	Apr 5 – May 9	–	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 156 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Billings Intl Ap (USW00024033), elevation 3,590 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 Montana (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).