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When does it first snow in Pocatello, ID?

At Pocatello, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 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 Oct 11, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 24 or later. The earliest was Sep 29 (2007-08) and the latest Dec 2 (1999-00). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 16, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Sep 14, and the last freeze of spring around May 21.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): first measurable snow Oct 12; first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 15 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.

Oct 30Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 16Median first 1"+ snowfall

38.6"Average snowfall per season

60%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Sep 14Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 21Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

113Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Pocatello

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)	Oct 30	Oct 11 – Nov 24	Sep 29 (2007-08)	Dec 2 (1999-00)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 16	Oct 11 – Dec 3	Oct 5 (2009-10)	Dec 13 (2020-21)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 16	Nov 8 – Feb 13	Oct 11 (1997-98)	Mar 26 (2009-10)	100%

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)	53%	97%	100%
1"+	37%	87%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 18 (median).

White Christmas odds in Pocatello

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, Pocatello had that in 60% of years, at least 3 inches in 23%, and at least 6 inches in 10%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.9 inches and the deepest was 11 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 40% 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 23 (54%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Pocatello

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Sep 14	Sep 6 – Oct 9	Aug 31 (2006) / Oct 13 (2023)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 21	May 11 – Jun 18	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 4	Sep 14 – Oct 20	Sep 7 (2010) / Oct 31 (2004)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 8	Apr 19 – May 21	–	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 113 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Pocatello Rgnl Ap (USW00024156), elevation 4,451 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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