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When does it first snow in Elko, NV?

At Elko, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 7. 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 11, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 24 or later. The earliest was Oct 5 (2007-08) and the latest Nov 26 (2005-06). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 26, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 16, and the last freeze of spring around Jun 1.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 13 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 7Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 26Median first 1"+ snowfall

41.6"Average snowfall per season

56%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 16Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Jun 1Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

112Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Elko

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 7	Oct 11 – Nov 24	Oct 5 (2007-08)	Nov 26 (2005-06)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 26	Oct 27 – Dec 22	Oct 11 (2021-22)	Feb 13 (2024-25)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 22	Nov 20 – Mar 4	Nov 3 (2015-16)	Mar 30 (2013-14)	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)	40%	100%	100%
1"+	17%	67%	93%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 23 (median).

White Christmas odds in Elko

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, Elko had that in 56% of years, at least 3 inches in 44%, and at least 6 inches in 7%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.2 inches and the deepest was 8 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 23% of years. Based on 27 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 1 (63%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Elko

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 16	Sep 2 – Oct 4	Aug 7 (1996) / Oct 14 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Jun 1	May 12 – Jun 20	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 30	Sep 8 – Oct 13	Sep 4 (1999) / Oct 30 (2015)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 10	Apr 20 – Jun 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 112 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Elko Rgnl Ap (USW00024121), elevation 5,054 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 Nevada (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).