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When does it first snow in Grand Island, NE?

At Grand Island, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 16. 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 24, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 11 or later. The earliest was Oct 9 (2009-10) and the latest Dec 31 (2010-11). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 8, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 12, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 27.

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 16Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 8Median first 1"+ snowfall

26.3"Average snowfall per season

37%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 12Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 27Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

167Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Grand Island

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 16	Oct 24 – Dec 11	Oct 9 (2009-10)	Dec 31 (2010-11)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 8	Oct 24 – Jan 1	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Feb 11 (2024-25)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 19	Oct 31 – Feb 15	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Mar 8 (1998-99)	89%

Based on 28 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)	29%	82%	100%
1"+	18%	39%	89%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 28 (median).

White Christmas odds in Grand Island

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, Grand Island had that in 37% of years, at least 3 inches in 17%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.0 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 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 Feb 6 (51%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Grand Island

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 12	Sep 29 – Oct 21	Sep 20 (1995) / Oct 26 (2007)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 27	Apr 12 – May 8	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 24	Oct 7 – Nov 11	Sep 21 (1995) / Nov 18 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 16	Apr 6 – Apr 25	–	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 167 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Grand Is Cntrl Ne Rgnl Ap (USW00014935), elevation 1,843 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 Nebraska (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).