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When does it first snow in Bristol, TN?

At Bristol, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 7. 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 Nov 16, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 7 or later. The earliest was Nov 1 (2014-15) and the latest Jan 17 (2002-03). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 2, and 87% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 22, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 15.

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.

Dec 7Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 2Median first 1"+ snowfall

8.6"Average snowfall per season

10%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 22Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 15Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

186Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Bristol

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)	Dec 7	Nov 16 – Jan 7	Nov 1 (2014-15)	Jan 17 (2002-03)	93%
1" of snow or more	Jan 2	Nov 27 – Jan 19	Nov 1 (2014-15)	Apr 24 (2004-05)	87%
3" of snow or more	Jan 17	Dec 18 – Feb 26	Dec 9 (2018-19)	Mar 12 (2021-22)	37%

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)	0%	30%	70%
1"+	0%	13%	40%

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

White Christmas odds in Bristol

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, Bristol had that in 10% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.2 inches and the deepest was 3 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 10% of years. Based on 29 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 10 (17%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Bristol

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 22	Oct 8 – Nov 1	Oct 3 (2003) / Nov 7 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 15	Apr 6 – May 4	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 20 – Nov 14	Oct 8 (2000) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 2	Mar 18 – Apr 16	–	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 186 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Bristol Ap (USW00013877), elevation 1,496 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 Tennessee (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).