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When does it first snow in Moline (Quad Cities), IL?

At Moline (Quad Cities), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 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 Oct 26, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 8 or later. The earliest was Oct 15 (2018-19) and the latest Dec 24 (2017-18). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 1, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 16, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 26.

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 24Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 1Median first 1"+ snowfall

35.8"Average snowfall per season

34%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 16Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 26Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

172Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Moline (Quad Cities)

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 24	Oct 26 – Dec 8	Oct 15 (2018-19)	Dec 24 (2017-18)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 1	Nov 9 – Dec 28	Oct 26 (1997-98)	Jan 16 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 22	Nov 29 – Jan 16	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Mar 25 (2022-23)	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)	17%	63%	100%
1"+	7%	40%	90%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 24 (median).

White Christmas odds in Moline (Quad Cities)

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, Moline (Quad Cities) had that in 34% of years, at least 3 inches in 24%, and at least 6 inches in 14%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.8 inches and the deepest was 11 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 30% of years. Based on 29 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 23 (67%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Moline (Quad Cities)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 16	Oct 5 – Oct 28	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 11 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 26	Apr 14 – May 13	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 16 – Nov 10	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 26 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 13	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 172 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Moline Quad City Intl Ap (USW00014923), elevation 576 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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