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When does it first snow in Lexington, KY?

At Lexington, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 9. 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 13, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 9 or later. The earliest was Nov 11 (2019-20) and the latest Jan 14 (2023-24). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 6, and 97% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 27, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 15.

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 9Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

14.5"Average snowfall per season

17%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 27Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 15Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

192Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Lexington

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 9	Nov 13 – Jan 9	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Jan 14 (2023-24)	100%
1" of snow or more	Jan 6	Nov 29 – Jan 22	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Mar 5 (2011-12)	97%
3" of snow or more	Jan 23	Jan 6 – Feb 11	Jan 5 (2024-25)	Mar 5 (2011-12)	57%

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)	0%	40%	80%
1"+	0%	17%	43%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 8 (median).

White Christmas odds in Lexington

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, Lexington had that in 17% of years, at least 3 inches in 0%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.2 inches and the deepest was 2 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 10% 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 20 (23%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Lexington

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 27	Oct 13 – Nov 8	Oct 8 (2000) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 15	Apr 1 – Apr 30	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 5	Oct 29 – Nov 21	Oct 22 (1997) / Dec 3 (2004)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 30	Mar 11 – Apr 16	–	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 192 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Lexington Bluegrass Ap (USW00093820), elevation 962 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 Kentucky (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).