Home › Alaska › King Salmon

When does it first snow in King Salmon, AK?

At King Salmon, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 19. 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 3, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 9 or later. The earliest was Sep 22 (1996-97) and the latest Nov 15 (2017-18). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 4, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 5, and the last freeze of spring around Jun 2.

This fall so far (data through Oct 15, 2026): first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 17 at this station. Observed data, can lag a day or two.

Oct 19Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 4Median first 1"+ snowfall

47.5"Average snowfall per season

62%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 5Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Jun 2Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

92Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at King Salmon

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 19	Oct 3 – Nov 9	Sep 22 (1996-97)	Nov 15 (2017-18)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 4	Oct 20 – Nov 26	Oct 13 (2012-13)	Dec 18 (2002-03)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 26	Oct 26 – Feb 23	Oct 13 (2012-13)	Mar 18 (2002-03)	88%

Based on 24 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)	83%	100%	100%
1"+	42%	96%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 27 (median).

White Christmas odds in King Salmon

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, King Salmon had that in 62% of years, at least 3 inches in 42%, and at least 6 inches in 21%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 3.1 inches and the deepest was 16 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 38% 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 Dec 20 (68%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in King Salmon

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 5	Aug 21 – Sep 25	Aug 9 (2008) / Sep 29 (2007)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Jun 2	May 13 – Jun 22	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 26	Sep 10 – Oct 7	Aug 28 (2021) / Oct 28 (2018)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 14	Apr 24 – May 24	–	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 92 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: King Salmon (USW00025503), elevation 144 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 Alaska (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).