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When does it first snow in Madison, WI?

At Madison, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 12. 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 23, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 5 or later. The earliest was Oct 17 (2022-23) and the latest Dec 23 (2001-02). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 24, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 8, and the last freeze of spring around May 3.

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 12Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 24Median first 1"+ snowfall

49.0"Average snowfall per season

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

Oct 8Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 3Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

162Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Madison

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 12	Oct 23 – Dec 5	Oct 17 (2022-23)	Dec 23 (2001-02)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 24	Nov 8 – Dec 24	Oct 21 (2006-07)	Jan 3 (1999-00)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 16	Nov 23 – Jan 18	Oct 26 (1997-98)	Mar 2 (2001-02)	100%

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)	30%	83%	100%
1"+	10%	60%	97%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 13 (median).

White Christmas odds in Madison

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, Madison had that in 63% of years, at least 3 inches in 40%, and at least 6 inches in 20%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 3.3 inches and the deepest was 15 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 23% 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 Feb 2 (88%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Madison

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 8	Sep 29 – Oct 22	Sep 15 (2007) / Nov 9 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 3	Apr 23 – May 17	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 19	Oct 5 – Nov 3	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 26 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 21	Apr 7 – May 5	–	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: Madison Dane Co Rgnl Ap (USW00014837), elevation 859 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 Wisconsin (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).