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When does it first snow in Philadelphia, PA?

At Philadelphia, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 18. 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 28, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 18 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Feb 1 (2022-23). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 30, and 90% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 12, and the last freeze of spring around Mar 30.

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.

Dec 18Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 30Median first 1"+ snowfall

22.6"Average snowfall per season

10%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Nov 12Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Mar 30Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

224Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Philadelphia

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)	Dec 18	Nov 28 – Jan 18	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Feb 1 (2022-23)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 30	Dec 3 – Jan 21	Nov 15 (2018-19)	Feb 13 (2006-07)	90%
3" of snow or more	Jan 7	Dec 5 – Feb 14	Nov 15 (2018-19)	Mar 16 (2006-07)	80%

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)	3%	13%	73%
1"+	0%	10%	47%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 14 (median).

White Christmas odds in Philadelphia

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, Philadelphia had that in 10% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.3 inches and the deepest was 8 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 3% 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 24 (27%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Philadelphia

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 12	Nov 5 – Nov 23	Oct 31 (2011) / Dec 6 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 30	Mar 22 – Apr 11	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 24	Nov 12 – Dec 12	Nov 9 (2019) / Dec 22 (2001)	97%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 18	Feb 27 – Mar 28	–	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 224 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Phila Intl Ap (USW00013739), elevation 7 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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