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When does it first snow in Des Moines, IA?

At Des Moines, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 18. 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 Oct 23, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 11 or later. The earliest was Oct 10 (2009-10) and the latest Dec 21 (2017-18). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 28, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 18, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 17.

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 18Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 28Median first 1"+ snowfall

37.5"Average snowfall per season

43%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 18Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 17Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

181Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Des Moines

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 18	Oct 23 – Dec 11	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Dec 21 (2017-18)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 28	Oct 28 – Dec 29	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Jan 30 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 19	Nov 21 – Feb 1	Oct 26 (1997-98)	Feb 14 (2002-03)	97%

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)	23%	67%	100%
1"+	17%	53%	93%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 2 (median).

White Christmas odds in Des Moines

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, Des Moines had that in 43% of years, at least 3 inches in 30%, and at least 6 inches in 17%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.0 inches and the deepest was 9 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 10% 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 20 (70%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Des Moines

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 4 – Nov 1	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 13 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Apr 8 – May 1	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 30	Oct 17 – Nov 19	Oct 7 (2000) / Nov 26 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 7	Mar 24 – Apr 17	–	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 181 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Des Moines Intl Ap (USW00014933), elevation 939 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 Iowa (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).