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When does it first snow in Denver, CO?

At Denver, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 20. 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 25, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 11 or later. The earliest was Sep 9 (2020-21) and the latest Dec 10 (2021-22). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 29, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 11, and the last freeze of spring around May 11.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Aug 31, 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.

Oct 20Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 29Median first 1"+ snowfall

47.0"Average snowfall per season

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

Oct 11Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 11Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

154Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Denver

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 20	Sep 25 – Nov 11	Sep 9 (2020-21)	Dec 10 (2021-22)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 29	Sep 28 – Nov 18	Sep 9 (2020-21)	Dec 31 (2021-22)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 6	Oct 15 – Feb 1	Sep 20 (1995-96)	Mar 1 (2001-02)	93%

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)	63%	97%	100%
1"+	57%	97%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around May 1 (median).

White Christmas odds in Denver

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, Denver had that in 37% of years, at least 3 inches in 17%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.3 inches and the deepest was 15 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 4 (42%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Denver

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 11	Sep 24 – Oct 18	Sep 9 (2020) / Oct 31 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 11	Apr 26 – May 21	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 4 – Nov 4	Sep 21 (1995) / Nov 18 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 12 – May 7	–	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 154 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Denver-Stapleton (USW00023062), elevation 5,286 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).