Home › Indiana › Indianapolis

When does it first snow in Indianapolis, IN?

At Indianapolis, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 24. 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 11, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 16 or later. The earliest was Oct 31 (2014-15) and the latest Dec 31 (2023-24). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 12, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 22, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 16.

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 24Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 12Median first 1"+ snowfall

24.4"Average snowfall per season

23%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 22Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 16Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

188Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Indianapolis

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 24	Nov 11 – Dec 16	Oct 31 (2014-15)	Dec 31 (2023-24)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 12	Nov 13 – Jan 7	Nov 11 (1995-96)	Feb 3 (2021-22)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 2	Dec 5 – Feb 18	Nov 13 (1997-98)	Mar 24 (2017-18)	90%

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%	63%	100%
1"+	0%	23%	83%

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

White Christmas odds in Indianapolis

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, Indianapolis had that in 23% 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 9 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 Jan 9 (37%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Indianapolis

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 22	Oct 8 – Nov 3	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 16	Apr 1 – May 4	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 7	Oct 28 – Nov 19	Oct 22 (1997) / Dec 3 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 2	Mar 20 – Apr 18	–	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 188 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Indianapolis (USW00093819), elevation 887 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).