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When does it first snow in Grand Rapids, MI?

At Grand Rapids, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 10. 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 26, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 24 or later. The earliest was Oct 7 (2000-01) and the latest Dec 5 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 24, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 18, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 29.

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 10Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 24Median first 1"+ snowfall

77.1"Average snowfall per season

63%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 18Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 29Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

170Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Grand Rapids

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 10	Oct 26 – Nov 24	Oct 7 (2000-01)	Dec 5 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 24	Nov 5 – Dec 18	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 24 (2020-21)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 30	Nov 12 – Jan 3	Nov 10 (2018-19)	Feb 4 (2020-21)	100%

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)	23%	97%	100%
1"+	7%	63%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 12 (median).

White Christmas odds in Grand Rapids

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 Rapids had that in 63% of years, at least 3 inches in 40%, and at least 6 inches in 17%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 3.3 inches and the deepest was 17 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 Jan 28 (83%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Grand Rapids

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 4 – Oct 27	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 12 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 29	Apr 15 – May 14	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 1	Oct 16 – Nov 17	Oct 6 (2003) / Nov 27 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Mar 30 – May 1	–	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 170 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Grand Rapids (USW00094860), elevation 875 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

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