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When does it first snow in Milwaukee, WI?

At Milwaukee, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 15. 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 29, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 6 or later. The earliest was Oct 7 (2000-01) and the latest Dec 19 (2001-02). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 2, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 28, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 23.

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 15Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 2Median first 1"+ snowfall

47.4"Average snowfall per season

47%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 28Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

184Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Milwaukee

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 15	Oct 29 – Dec 6	Oct 7 (2000-01)	Dec 19 (2001-02)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 2	Nov 10 – Dec 30	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Jan 15 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 22	Nov 20 – Jan 15	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Feb 11 (2002-03)	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)	20%	80%	100%
1"+	7%	43%	90%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 12 (median).

White Christmas odds in Milwaukee

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, Milwaukee had that in 47% of years, at least 3 inches in 17%, and at least 6 inches in 13%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.4 inches and the deepest was 25 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 20% 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 24 (72%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Milwaukee

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 6 – Nov 10	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 20 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 10 – May 5	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 9	Oct 31 – Nov 21	Oct 22 (1997) / Dec 3 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 3	Mar 24 – Apr 18	–	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 184 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Milwaukee Mitchell Ap (USW00014839), elevation 667 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).