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When does it first snow in Blue Hill Observatory, MA?

At Blue Hill Observatory, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 14. 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 27, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 12 or later. The earliest was Oct 18 (2009-10) and the latest Jan 13 (1999-00). 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 28, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 17.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Sep 29, 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 14Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 4Median first 1"+ snowfall

68.5"Average snowfall per season

37%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

Apr 17Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

192Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Blue Hill Observatory

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 14	Oct 27 – Dec 12	Oct 18 (2009-10)	Jan 13 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 4	Oct 29 – Dec 30	Oct 18 (2009-10)	Jan 13 (1999-00)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 8	Nov 6 – Jan 13	Oct 18 (2009-10)	Jan 23 (2015-16)	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)	23%	63%	97%
1"+	17%	40%	90%

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

White Christmas odds in Blue Hill Observatory

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, Blue Hill Observatory had that in 37% of years, at least 3 inches in 17%, and at least 6 inches in 13%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.6 inches and the deepest was 13 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 13% 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 21 (66%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Blue Hill Observatory

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 10 – Nov 4	Oct 4 (1996) / Nov 9 (2022)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Apr 9 – Apr 27	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 8	Oct 27 – Nov 21	Oct 18 (2015) / Dec 1 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 4	Mar 25 – Apr 17	–	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 192 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Blue Hill Lcd (USW00014753), elevation 625 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 Massachusetts (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).