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When does it first snow in Colorado Springs, CO?

At Colorado Springs, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 25. 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 23, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 27 or later. The earliest was Sep 8 (2001-02) and the latest Dec 31 (2021-22). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 13, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 7, and the last freeze of spring around May 5.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 16 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 25Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 13Median first 1"+ snowfall

34.2"Average snowfall per season

21%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 7Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 5Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

155Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Colorado Springs

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 25	Sep 23 – Nov 27	Sep 8 (2001-02)	Dec 31 (2021-22)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 13	Oct 4 – Jan 1	Sep 8 (2001-02)	Jan 21 (2017-18)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 16	Oct 27 – Feb 24	Oct 24 (1997-98)	Mar 23 (2009-10)	90%

Based on 29 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)	66%	93%	100%
1"+	45%	69%	86%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 28 (median).

White Christmas odds in Colorado Springs

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, Colorado Springs had that in 21% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.4 inches and the deepest was 5 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 Feb 3 (25%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Colorado Springs

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 7	Sep 18 – Oct 17	Sep 8 (2020) / Oct 28 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 5	Apr 26 – May 20	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 14	Oct 4 – Nov 6	Sep 25 (2000) / Nov 12 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 8 – May 3	–	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 155 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Colorado Springs Muni Ap (USW00093037), elevation 6,182 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 Colorado (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).