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When does it first snow in Reading, PA?

At Reading, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 8. 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 20, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 9 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Jan 21 (2006-07). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 18, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 31, 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.

Dec 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 18Median first 1"+ snowfall

27.4"Average snowfall per season

12%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 31Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

194Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Reading

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 8	Nov 20 – Jan 9	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 21 (2006-07)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 18	Nov 22 – Jan 21	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Jan 25 (2006-07)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 29	Dec 5 – Jan 24	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Mar 10 (2016-17)	88%

Based on 26 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)	4%	35%	81%
1"+	4%	23%	62%

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

White Christmas odds in Reading

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, Reading had that in 12% of years, at least 3 inches in 0%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.2 inches and the deepest was 2 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 8% of years. Based on 26 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 Feb 12 (46%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Reading

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 31	Oct 13 – Nov 9	Oct 9 (2000) / Nov 11 (2005)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 15	Apr 1 – Apr 27	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 11	Nov 3 – Nov 19	Oct 9 (2001) / Nov 30 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 3	Mar 21 – 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 194 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Reading Rgnl Ap (USW00014712), elevation 332 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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