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When does it first snow in International Falls, MN?

At International Falls, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 26. 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 8, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 14 or later. The earliest was Sep 29 (2003-04) and the latest Dec 8 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 14, and the last freeze of spring around May 28.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 14 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.

Oct 26Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

70.3"Average snowfall per season

83%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 14Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 28Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

111Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at International Falls

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)	Oct 26	Oct 8 – Nov 14	Sep 29 (2003-04)	Dec 8 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 6	Oct 12 – Nov 21	Sep 30 (2003-04)	Dec 26 (1999-00)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 23	Oct 31 – Dec 31	Oct 13 (2006-07)	Jan 27 (2015-16)	100%

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)	64%	96%	100%
1"+	43%	93%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 21 (median).

White Christmas odds in International Falls

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, International Falls had that in 83% of years, at least 3 inches in 83%, and at least 6 inches in 60%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 7.5 inches and the deepest was 19 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 27% 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 4 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in International Falls

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 14	Sep 5 – Sep 28	Aug 21 (2004) / Oct 17 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 28	May 13 – Jun 9	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 29	Sep 13 – Oct 17	Sep 3 (1997) / Oct 30 (2023)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 13	Apr 27 – May 26	–	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 111 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Intl Falls Intl Ap (USW00014918), elevation 1,157 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 Minnesota (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).