Home › Oregon › Pendleton

When does it first snow in Pendleton, OR?

At Pendleton, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 30. 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 Nov 19, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 18 or later. The earliest was Nov 8 (2020-21) and the latest Dec 25 (2018-19). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 12, and 93% 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 25.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 15, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 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.

Nov 30Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 12Median first 1"+ snowfall

15.9"Average snowfall per season

13%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

Apr 25Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

174Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Pendleton

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 30	Nov 19 – Dec 18	Nov 8 (2020-21)	Dec 25 (2018-19)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 12	Nov 20 – Jan 31	Nov 13 (2014-15)	Feb 22 (2006-07)	93%
3" of snow or more	Dec 29	Nov 27 – Feb 9	Nov 13 (2014-15)	Feb 12 (2020-21)	63%

Based on 27 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)	0%	56%	100%
1"+	0%	22%	67%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 1 (median).

White Christmas odds in Pendleton

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, Pendleton had that in 13% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 7%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.8 inches and the deepest was 13 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 20% 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 Dec 31 (20%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Pendleton

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 3 – Nov 3	Sep 23 (2000) / Nov 8 (2014)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 25	Apr 12 – May 10	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 30	Oct 11 – Nov 20	Oct 3 (2012) / Dec 10 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 3	Feb 27 – Apr 27	–	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: Pendleton (USW00024155), elevation 1,580 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 Oregon (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).