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When does it first snow in Detroit, MI?

At Detroit, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 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 Nov 6, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 7 or later. The earliest was Oct 12 (2006-07) and the latest Dec 29 (1998-99). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 5, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 28, 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 20Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 5Median first 1"+ snowfall

43.9"Average snowfall per season

40%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 28Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

186Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Detroit

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 20	Nov 6 – Dec 7	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 29 (1998-99)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 5	Nov 18 – Dec 21	Nov 9 (2018-19)	Dec 31 (1998-99)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 20	Dec 2 – Feb 1	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Mar 20 (1995-96)	100%

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)	10%	80%	100%
1"+	0%	43%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 9 (median).

White Christmas odds in Detroit

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, Detroit had that in 40% of years, at least 3 inches in 27%, and at least 6 inches in 10%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.5 inches and the deepest was 7 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 33% 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 23 (64%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Detroit

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 13 – Nov 8	Oct 8 (2001) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 9 – May 6	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 8	Nov 1 – Nov 20	Oct 22 (1997) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 4	Mar 24 – Apr 21	–	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 186 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Detroit Metro Ap (USW00094847), elevation 630 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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