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When does it first snow in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN?

At Minneapolis-St. Paul, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 9. 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 15, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 22 or later. The earliest was Oct 10 (2009-10) and the latest Nov 27 (2004-05). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 24, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 17, 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 9Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 24Median first 1"+ snowfall

50.3"Average snowfall per season

73%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 17Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

174Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Minneapolis-St. Paul

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 9	Oct 15 – Nov 22	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Nov 27 (2004-05)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 24	Oct 31 – Dec 20	Oct 12 (2009-10)	Jan 21 (2004-05)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 10	Nov 16 – Jan 17	Oct 20 (2020-21)	Feb 14 (2023-24)	100%

Based on 26 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)	31%	100%	100%
1"+	12%	65%	96%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 11 (median).

White Christmas odds in Minneapolis-St. Paul

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, Minneapolis-St. Paul had that in 73% of years, at least 3 inches in 53%, and at least 6 inches in 30%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 4.5 inches and the deepest was 19 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 15% 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 18 (87%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 17	Oct 2 – Oct 28	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 18 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 13 – May 4	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 29	Oct 10 – Nov 19	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 20 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 9	Mar 26 – Apr 22	–	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 174 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Minneapolis-St Paul Intl Ap (USW00014922), elevation 835 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 Minnesota (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).