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When does it first snow in Fort Wayne, IN?

At Fort Wayne, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 18. 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 3, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 7 or later. The earliest was Oct 17 (2022-23) and the latest Dec 23 (2001-02). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 16, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 26.

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 18Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

31.9"Average snowfall per season

33%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

Apr 26Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

172Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Fort Wayne

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 18	Nov 3 – Dec 7	Oct 17 (2022-23)	Dec 23 (2001-02)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 6	Nov 12 – Jan 6	Nov 9 (1996-97)	Jan 30 (2020-21)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 21	Nov 27 – Feb 1	Nov 13 (1997-98)	Feb 26 (2001-02)	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)	10%	77%	100%
1"+	0%	37%	83%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 1 (median).

White Christmas odds in Fort Wayne

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, Fort Wayne had that in 33% of years, at least 3 inches in 17%, and at least 6 inches in 10%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.1 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 29 (50%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Fort Wayne

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 16	Oct 5 – Oct 27	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 12 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 26	Apr 14 – May 9	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 2	Oct 18 – Nov 12	Oct 8 (2012) / Nov 14 (2022)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 11	Mar 27 – Apr 23	–	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 172 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Ft Wayne Intl Ap (USW00014827), elevation 797 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 Indiana (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).