Home › Alaska › Fairbanks

When does it first snow in Fairbanks, AK?

At Fairbanks, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 1. 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 21, and in 1 in 10 not until Oct 15 or later. The earliest was Aug 25 (1995-96) and the latest Oct 20 (2016-17). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 11, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 14, and the last freeze of spring around May 13.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): first measurable snow Oct 1; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 3 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 1Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 11Median first 1"+ snowfall

61.4"Average snowfall per season

100%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 14Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

122Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Fairbanks

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 1	Sep 21 – Oct 15	Aug 25 (1995-96)	Oct 20 (2016-17)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 11	Sep 26 – Oct 31	Sep 21 (1996-97)	Nov 13 (2018-19)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 13	Oct 5 – Feb 21	Sep 25 (2015-16)	Apr 21 (2001-02)	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)	100%	100%	100%
1"+	90%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 15 (median).

White Christmas odds in Fairbanks

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, Fairbanks had that in 100% of years, at least 3 inches in 100%, and at least 6 inches in 93%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 12.8 inches and the deepest was 23 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 43% 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 Nov 11 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Fairbanks

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 14	Sep 3 – Sep 23	Aug 27 (1996) / Sep 28 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 13	May 6 – May 21	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 24	Sep 12 – Oct 4	Aug 28 (1996) / Oct 11 (2022)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 1	Apr 22 – May 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 122 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Fairbanks Intl Ap (USW00026411), elevation 430 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 Alaska (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).