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When does it first snow in Fargo, ND?

At Fargo, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 2. 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 19 or later. The earliest was Oct 4 (2012-13) and the latest Dec 14 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 12, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 6, and the last freeze of spring around May 11.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 2 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 2Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 12Median first 1"+ snowfall

48.8"Average snowfall per season

81%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 6Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 11Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

145Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Fargo

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 2	Oct 11 – Nov 19	Oct 4 (2012-13)	Dec 14 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 12	Oct 11 – Dec 7	Oct 4 (2012-13)	Feb 10 (2014-15)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 14	Nov 7 – Jan 31	Oct 11 (2019-20)	Mar 1 (2006-07)	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)	50%	97%	100%
1"+	33%	77%	97%

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

White Christmas odds in Fargo

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, Fargo had that in 81% of years, at least 3 inches in 52%, and at least 6 inches in 37%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 5.1 inches and the deepest was 17 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 40% 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 14 (95%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Fargo

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 6	Sep 20 – Oct 15	Sep 9 (2020) / Oct 22 (2007)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 11	Apr 24 – May 22	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 13	Oct 1 – Oct 25	Sep 20 (1995) / Nov 2 (1998)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 28	Apr 17 – 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 145 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Fargo Hector Intl Ap (USW00014914), elevation 895 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 North Dakota (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).