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When does it first snow in Mount Washington, NH?

At Mount Washington, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Sep 19. 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 Jul 22, and in 1 in 10 not until Oct 9 or later. The earliest was Jul 1 (2007-08) and the latest Oct 17 (1995-96). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Oct 9, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Aug 30, and the last freeze of spring around Jun 20.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 17, 2026): first measurable snow Oct 6; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 11 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.

Sep 19Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Oct 9Median first 1"+ snowfall

285.1"Average snowfall per season

97%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Aug 30Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Jun 20Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

67Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Mount Washington

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)	Sep 19	Jul 22 – Oct 9	Jul 1 (2007-08)	Oct 17 (1995-96)	100%
1" of snow or more	Oct 9	Sep 24 – Oct 22	Sep 11 (2002-03)	Oct 29 (1995-96)	100%
3" of snow or more	Oct 17	Oct 1 – Nov 7	Sep 11 (2002-03)	Nov 13 (2022-23)	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)	100%	100%	100%
1"+	100%	100%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Jun 3 (median).

White Christmas odds in Mount Washington

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, Mount Washington had that in 97% of years, at least 3 inches in 83%, and at least 6 inches in 57%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 8.4 inches and the deepest was 25 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 57% 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 1 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Mount Washington

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Aug 30	Aug 6 – Sep 15	Aug 5 (2013) / Oct 1 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Jun 20	Jun 7 – Jul 21	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 14	Sep 3 – Sep 28	Aug 24 (2003) / Oct 8 (2023)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Jun 6	May 25 – Jun 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 67 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Mt Washington (USW00014755), elevation 6,272 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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