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When does it first snow in Raleigh, NC?

At Raleigh, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Jan 11. 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 Dec 4, and in 1 in 10 not until Feb 6 or later. The earliest was Nov 19 (2000-01) and the latest Feb 20 (2019-20). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 19, and 67% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 4, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 6.

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.

Jan 11Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 19Median first 1"+ snowfall

5.1"Average snowfall per season

0%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Nov 4Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 6Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

213Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Raleigh

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)	Jan 11	Dec 4 – Feb 6	Nov 19 (2000-01)	Feb 20 (2019-20)	87%
1" of snow or more	Jan 19	Dec 8 – Jan 31	Nov 19 (2000-01)	Feb 24 (2014-15)	67%
3" of snow or more	Jan 18	Dec 26 – Feb 16	Dec 9 (2018-19)	Feb 26 (2014-15)	37%

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)	0%	7%	27%
1"+	0%	3%	13%

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

White Christmas odds in Raleigh

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, Raleigh had that in 0% of years, at least 3 inches in 0%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.0 inches and the deepest was 0 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 21 (9%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Raleigh

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 4	Oct 23 – Nov 14	Oct 10 (2000) / Nov 29 (2024)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 6	Mar 23 – Apr 17	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 17	Nov 4 – Nov 30	Oct 29 (2001) / Dec 6 (2009)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 14	Mar 2 – Apr 7	–	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 213 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Raleigh Ap (USW00013722), elevation 395 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 North Carolina (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).