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When does it first snow in Norfolk (Nebraska), NE?

At Norfolk (Nebraska), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 13. 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 22, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 11 or later. The earliest was Oct 10 (2009-10) and the latest Jan 14 (2006-07). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 23, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 7, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 27.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 16 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 13Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 23Median first 1"+ snowfall

28.8"Average snowfall per season

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

Oct 7Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 27Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

158Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Norfolk (Nebraska)

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 13	Oct 22 – Dec 11	Oct 10 (2009-10)	Jan 14 (2006-07)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 23	Oct 25 – Dec 22	Oct 23 (2002-03)	Jan 31 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 25	Nov 11 – Feb 3	Oct 23 (2009-10)	Mar 7 (1997-98)	93%

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)	23%	77%	97%
1"+	13%	70%	90%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 29 (median).

White Christmas odds in Norfolk (Nebraska)

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, Norfolk (Nebraska) had that in 47% of years, at least 3 inches in 13%, and at least 6 inches in 7%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.3 inches and the deepest was 10 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 17% 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 29 (58%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Norfolk (Nebraska)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 7	Sep 22 – Oct 16	Sep 15 (2011) / Oct 26 (2007)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 27	Apr 17 – May 15	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 14	Oct 5 – Oct 28	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 5 (1998)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Apr 9 – May 1	–	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 158 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Norfolk Karl Stefan Mem Ap (USW00014941), elevation 1,562 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 Nebraska (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).