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When does it first snow in Gustavus, AK?

At Gustavus, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 7. 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 25, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 29 or later. The earliest was Oct 16 (2016-17) and the latest Dec 12 (2015-16). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 11, and 100% of seasons had one.

This fall so far (data through Oct 15, 2026): first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 25 at this station. Observed data, can lag a day or two.

Nov 7Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 11Median first 1"+ snowfall

77.8"Average snowfall per season

58%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

104Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Gustavus

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 7	Oct 25 – Nov 29	Oct 16 (2016-17)	Dec 12 (2015-16)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 11	Oct 25 – Nov 30	Oct 16 (2016-17)	Dec 26 (2015-16)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 19	Nov 2 – Jan 7	Oct 19 (2024-25)	Jan 26 (2007-08)	100%

Based on 23 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)	22%	91%	100%
1"+	17%	91%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 6 (median).

White Christmas odds in Gustavus

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, Gustavus had that in 58% of years, at least 3 inches in 46%, and at least 6 inches in 21%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 4.8 inches and the deepest was 29 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 20% of years. Based on 24 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 9 (89%). Red line: Dec 25.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Gustavus (USW00025322), elevation 40 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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