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When does it first snow in Peoria, IL?

At Peoria, 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 8, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 21 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2019-20) and the latest Dec 28 (2021-22). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 18, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 15.

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 30Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

26.1"Average snowfall per season

28%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 18Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 15Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

186Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Peoria

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 8 – Dec 21	Oct 29 (2019-20)	Dec 28 (2021-22)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 6	Nov 20 – Dec 30	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Jan 12 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 15	Nov 25 – Feb 15	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Mar 2 (2001-02)	93%

Based on 29 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)	3%	52%	100%
1"+	3%	31%	90%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 20 (median).

White Christmas odds in Peoria

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, Peoria had that in 28% of years, at least 3 inches in 14%, and at least 6 inches in 7%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.0 inches and the deepest was 9 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 14% 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 15 (52%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Peoria

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 6 – Oct 31	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 21 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 15	Apr 5 – Apr 26	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 1	Oct 19 – Nov 20	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 27 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 3	Mar 20 – Apr 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 186 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: General Wayne A Downing Intl A (USW00014842), elevation 655 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 Illinois (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).