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When does it first snow in Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport), WI?

At Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 5. 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 15, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 26 or later. The earliest was Oct 4 (2014-15) and the latest Dec 15 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 21, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 2, and the last freeze of spring around May 13.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 5 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 5Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 21Median first 1"+ snowfall

54.3"Average snowfall per season

73%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 2Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 13Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

146Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport)

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 5	Oct 15 – Nov 26	Oct 4 (2014-15)	Dec 15 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 21	Oct 28 – Dec 15	Oct 20 (2020-21)	Dec 23 (2015-16)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 19	Nov 23 – Jan 26	Oct 20 (2020-21)	Feb 3 (2024-25)	96%

Based on 24 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)	42%	96%	100%
1"+	17%	71%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 11 (median).

White Christmas odds in Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport)

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, Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport) had that in 73% of years, at least 3 inches in 50%, and at least 6 inches in 31%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 4.5 inches and the deepest was 24 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 19% of years. Based on 26 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 9 (96%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Eau Claire (Chippewa Valley Airport)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 2	Sep 21 – Oct 15	Sep 15 (2007) / Oct 21 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 13	Apr 26 – May 21	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 16	Oct 3 – Oct 25	Oct 1 (2003) / Oct 30 (2023)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 27	Apr 16 – May 13	–	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 146 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Chippewa Valley Rgnl Ap (USW00014991), elevation 884 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 Wisconsin (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).