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When does it first snow in McGrath, AK?

At McGrath, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 4. 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 Sep 23, and in 1 in 10 not until Oct 21 or later. The earliest was Aug 26 (1998-99) and the latest Oct 25 (2016-17). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 16, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 9, and the last freeze of spring around May 19.

This fall so far (data through Oct 16, 2026): first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 1 at this station. Observed data, can lag a day or two.

Oct 4Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 16Median first 1"+ snowfall

80.8"Average snowfall per season

100%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 9Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 19Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

118Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at McGrath

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 4	Sep 23 – Oct 21	Aug 26 (1998-99)	Oct 25 (2016-17)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 16	Sep 28 – Oct 31	Sep 25 (1996-97)	Nov 14 (2006-07)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 2	Oct 11 – Dec 16	Sep 28 (2004-05)	Dec 29 (2016-17)	100%

Based on 24 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)	100%	100%	100%
1"+	88%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 23 (median).

White Christmas odds in McGrath

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, McGrath had that in 100% of years, at least 3 inches in 100%, and at least 6 inches in 100%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 16.4 inches and the deepest was 38 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 54% of years. Based on 24 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 Nov 29 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in McGrath

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 9	Aug 25 – Sep 23	Aug 19 (1997) / Sep 29 (2017)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 19	May 6 – May 31	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 24	Sep 6 – Oct 4	Aug 25 (2009) / Oct 22 (2018)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 4	Apr 26 – May 17	–	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 118 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Mcgrath Ap (USW00026510), elevation 331 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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