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When does it first snow in Dayton, OH?

At Dayton, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 26. 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 9, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 12 or later. The earliest was Oct 23 (2013-14) and the latest Dec 31 (1998-99). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 8, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 26, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 18.

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 26Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 8Median first 1"+ snowfall

24.2"Average snowfall per season

23%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 26Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 18Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

191Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Dayton

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 26	Nov 9 – Dec 12	Oct 23 (2013-14)	Dec 31 (1998-99)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 8	Nov 15 – Jan 10	Oct 23 (2013-14)	Feb 3 (2021-22)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 12	Dec 14 – Feb 16	Dec 6 (2013-14)	Feb 22 (2000-01)	83%

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)	7%	63%	100%
1"+	3%	37%	83%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 26 (median).

White Christmas odds in Dayton

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, Dayton had that in 23% of years, at least 3 inches in 13%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.1 inches and the deepest was 16 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 16 (38%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Dayton

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 26	Oct 12 – Nov 3	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 18	Apr 5 – Apr 29	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 5	Oct 22 – Nov 17	Oct 18 (2009) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 4	Mar 28 – 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 191 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Dayton Intl Ap (USW00093815), elevation 993 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

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