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When does it first snow in Medford, OR?

At Medford, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 24. 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 30, and in 1 in 10 not until Feb 13 or later. The earliest was Nov 23 (2010-11) and the latest Feb 20 (1995-96). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 9, and 67% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 26, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 13.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 12 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 24Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 9Median first 1"+ snowfall

4.0"Average snowfall per season

4%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 26Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 13Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

196Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Medford

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 24	Nov 30 – Feb 13	Nov 23 (2010-11)	Feb 20 (1995-96)	92%
1" of snow or more	Jan 9	Dec 6 – Feb 26	Nov 30 (2005-06)	Feb 29 (2011-12)	67%
3" of snow or more	Jan 31	Dec 26 – Feb 23	Dec 6 (2013-14)	Feb 26 (2018-19)	33%

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)	0%	12%	54%
1"+	0%	4%	29%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Feb 10 (median).

White Christmas odds in Medford

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, Medford had that in 4% of years, at least 3 inches in 0%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.0 inches and the deepest was 1 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 8% 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 Dec 21 (5%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Medford

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 26	Oct 12 – Nov 10	Oct 10 (2019) / Dec 5 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 13	Mar 22 – May 6	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 17	Oct 28 – Dec 4	Oct 12 (2008) / Dec 15 (2012)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 18	Feb 12 – Apr 13	–	97%

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 196 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Medford Intl Ap (USW00024225), elevation 1,313 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 Oregon (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).