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When does it first snow in Marquette, MI?

At Marquette, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 8. 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 27, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 26 or later. The earliest was Oct 6 (2001-02) and the latest Dec 1 (2006-07). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 14, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 29, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 30.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 15, 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 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 14Median first 1"+ snowfall

98.2"Average snowfall per season

80%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 29Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

178Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Marquette

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 8	Oct 27 – Nov 26	Oct 6 (2001-02)	Dec 1 (2006-07)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 14	Oct 27 – Dec 5	Oct 6 (2001-02)	Dec 18 (2023-24)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 27	Nov 10 – Dec 27	Nov 8 (2019-20)	Feb 16 (2024-25)	100%

Based on 25 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)	24%	96%	100%
1"+	20%	72%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 17 (median).

White Christmas odds in Marquette

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, Marquette had that in 80% of years, at least 3 inches in 60%, and at least 6 inches in 43%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 6.0 inches and the deepest was 24 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 34% 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 16 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Marquette

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 29	Oct 8 – Nov 12	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 24 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 30	Apr 23 – May 18	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 9	Oct 26 – Nov 23	Oct 11 (1996) / Dec 4 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 21	Apr 4 – May 3	–	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 178 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Marquette (USW00014838), elevation 665 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 Michigan (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).