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When does it first snow in Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport), KY?

At Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 29. 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 12, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 21 or later. The earliest was Nov 9 (1996-97) and the latest Jan 10 (2015-16). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 10, and 100% 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 23.

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 29Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 10Median first 1"+ snowfall

22.8"Average snowfall per season

20%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

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

183Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport)

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 29	Nov 12 – Dec 21	Nov 9 (1996-97)	Jan 10 (2015-16)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 10	Nov 16 – Jan 16	Nov 9 (1996-97)	Mar 5 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 7	Dec 6 – Feb 7	Nov 17 (2014-15)	Mar 21 (2017-18)	77%

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%	57%	97%
1"+	0%	27%	80%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 18 (median).

White Christmas odds in Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport)

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, Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport) had that in 20% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.6 inches and the deepest was 9 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 17% 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 (31%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky Airport)

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 3	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 5 – May 14	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 23 – Nov 17	Oct 15 (2006) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 1	Mar 21 – 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 183 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky I (USW00093814), elevation 861 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 Kentucky (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).