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When does it first snow in Harrisburg, PA?

At Harrisburg, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 5. 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 15, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 7 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Jan 22 (2006-07). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 16, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 5, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 11.

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.

Dec 5Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 16Median first 1"+ snowfall

27.3"Average snowfall per season

13%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Nov 5Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

207Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Harrisburg

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)	Dec 5	Nov 15 – Jan 7	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 22 (2006-07)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 16	Nov 20 – Jan 20	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Feb 9 (2016-17)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 6	Dec 3 – Jan 29	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Feb 13 (2006-07)	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)	3%	43%	83%
1"+	3%	20%	67%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 15 (median).

White Christmas odds in Harrisburg

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, Harrisburg had that in 13% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.4 inches and the deepest was 6 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 13% 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 24 (38%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Harrisburg

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 5	Oct 19 – Nov 13	Oct 9 (2001) / Nov 18 (2020)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 11	Mar 27 – Apr 23	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 15	Nov 5 – Nov 28	Oct 29 (2001) / Dec 7 (2020)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 26	Mar 19 – Apr 5	–	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 207 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Middletown Harrisburg Intl Ap (USW00014711), elevation 299 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 Pennsylvania (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).