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When does it first snow in Missoula, MT?

At Missoula, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 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 Oct 11, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 22 or later. The earliest was Sep 29 (2019-20) and the latest Dec 10 (2002-03). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 13, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 26, and the last freeze of spring around May 13.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 27 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 4Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 13Median first 1"+ snowfall

44.2"Average snowfall per season

63%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

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

132Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Missoula

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 4	Oct 11 – Nov 22	Sep 29 (2019-20)	Dec 10 (2002-03)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 13	Oct 25 – Dec 13	Sep 29 (2019-20)	Jan 2 (2024-25)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 13	Nov 8 – Jan 11	Oct 23 (2020-21)	Jan 21 (2002-03)	97%

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)	37%	93%	100%
1"+	17%	77%	97%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 19 (median).

White Christmas odds in Missoula

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, Missoula had that in 63% of years, at least 3 inches in 33%, and at least 6 inches in 17%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 3.0 inches and the deepest was 21 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 30% 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 20 (76%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Missoula

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 26	Sep 13 – Oct 10	Sep 8 (2020) / Oct 25 (2023)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 13	May 1 – Jun 1	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 8	Sep 22 – Oct 23	Sep 12 (2014) / Oct 28 (2022)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 3	Apr 18 – 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 132 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Missoula Intl Ap (USW00024153), elevation 3,195 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 Montana (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).