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When does it first snow in Louisville, KY?

At Louisville, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 7. 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 14, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 30 or later. The earliest was Nov 11 (2019-20) and the latest Jan 12 (2011-12). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 3, and the last freeze of spring around Mar 30.

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 7Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

13.0"Average snowfall per season

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

Nov 3Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Mar 30Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

218Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Louisville

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 7	Nov 14 – Dec 30	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Jan 12 (2011-12)	100%
1" of snow or more	Jan 6	Dec 4 – Feb 5	Nov 12 (2022-23)	Feb 17 (2006-07)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 15	Dec 5 – Feb 13	Nov 17 (2014-15)	Mar 20 (2017-18)	55%

Based on 29 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%	34%	90%
1"+	0%	7%	41%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 3 (median).

White Christmas odds in Louisville

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, Louisville had that in 17% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.5 inches and the deepest was 8 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 14% 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 19 (21%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Louisville

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 25 – Nov 18	Oct 9 (2000) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 30	Mar 19 – Apr 17	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 20	Nov 8 – Dec 4	Nov 2 (1996) / Dec 24 (2001)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 15	Feb 28 – Mar 30	–	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 218 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Louisville Intl Ap (USW00093821), elevation 480 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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