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When does it first snow in Lansing, MI?

At Lansing, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 14. 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 31, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 1 or later. The earliest was Oct 12 (2006-07) and the latest Dec 4 (2016-17). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 25, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 12, and the last freeze of spring around May 1.

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 14Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 25Median first 1"+ snowfall

47.8"Average snowfall per season

63%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 12Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 1Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

162Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Lansing

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 14	Oct 31 – Dec 1	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 4 (2016-17)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 25	Nov 11 – Dec 11	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 29 (2020-21)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 12	Nov 21 – Feb 1	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Apr 11 (2006-07)	95%

Based on 22 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)	18%	86%	100%
1"+	5%	68%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 9 (median).

White Christmas odds in Lansing

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, Lansing had that in 63% of years, at least 3 inches in 33%, and at least 6 inches in 11%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.6 inches and the deepest was 13 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 40% of years. Based on 27 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 (80%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Lansing

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 12	Sep 24 – Oct 26	Sep 21 (1999) / Oct 27 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 1	Apr 21 – May 20	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 5 – Nov 11	Sep 22 (1999) / Nov 22 (2007)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 1 – May 10	–	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 162 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Lansing Capital City Ap (USW00014836), elevation 857 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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