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When does it first snow in Marquette (station 2), MI?

At Marquette (station 2), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 17. 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 5, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 1 or later. The earliest was Sep 30 (2003-04) and the latest Nov 19 (2016-17). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 22, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 29, and the last freeze of spring around May 23.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 22 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.

Oct 17Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 22Median first 1"+ snowfall

199.2"Average snowfall per season

90%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

May 23Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

129Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Marquette (station 2)

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)	Oct 17	Oct 5 – Nov 1	Sep 30 (2003-04)	Nov 19 (2016-17)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 22	Oct 6 – Nov 13	Oct 1 (2003-04)	Nov 25 (2024-25)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 11	Oct 16 – Dec 5	Oct 1 (2003-04)	Dec 18 (2023-24)	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)	87%	100%	100%
1"+	67%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around May 2 (median).

White Christmas odds in Marquette (station 2)

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 (station 2) had that in 90% of years, at least 3 inches in 90%, and at least 6 inches in 73%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 12.3 inches and the deepest was 28 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 53% 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 2 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Marquette (station 2)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 29	Sep 14 – Oct 13	Sep 9 (2017) / Oct 18 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 23	May 10 – Jun 3	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 14	Oct 2 – Oct 29	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 2 (2021)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 5	Apr 24 – May 14	–	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 129 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Marquette (USW00094850), elevation 1,525 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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