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When does it first snow in Pittsburgh, PA?

At Pittsburgh, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 15. 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 29, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 9 or later. The earliest was Oct 25 (2013-14) and the latest Dec 18 (2015-16). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 3, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 24, 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; 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 15Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 3Median first 1"+ snowfall

42.1"Average snowfall per season

27%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 24Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

181Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Pittsburgh

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 15	Oct 29 – Dec 9	Oct 25 (2013-14)	Dec 18 (2015-16)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 3	Nov 12 – Jan 6	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 20 (2006-07)	100%
3" of snow or more	Jan 3	Nov 28 – Feb 12	Nov 12 (2013-14)	Mar 7 (2024-25)	97%

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)	13%	77%	100%
1"+	3%	43%	83%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 7 (median).

White Christmas odds in Pittsburgh

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, Pittsburgh had that in 27% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.6 inches and the deepest was 6 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 30% 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 20 (59%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Pittsburgh

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 24	Oct 7 – Nov 1	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 3 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 27	Apr 8 – May 10	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 5	Oct 30 – Nov 18	Oct 19 (2009) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 5	Mar 25 – Apr 16	–	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 181 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Pittsburgh Asos (USW00094823), elevation 1,119 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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