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When does it first snow in Richmond, VA?

At Richmond, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 31. 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 5, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 23 or later. The earliest was Nov 12 (2019-20) and the latest Feb 19 (2011-12). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 3, and 83% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 5, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 3.

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 31Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 3Median first 1"+ snowfall

8.9"Average snowfall per season

3%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Nov 5Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 3Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

217Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Richmond

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 31	Dec 5 – Jan 23	Nov 12 (2019-20)	Feb 19 (2011-12)	97%
1" of snow or more	Jan 3	Dec 7 – Feb 18	Dec 4 (2002-03)	Apr 7 (2006-07)	83%
3" of snow or more	Jan 20	Dec 7 – Feb 23	Dec 5 (2002-03)	Mar 24 (2012-13)	57%

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%	3%	50%
1"+	0%	0%	40%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 2 (median).

White Christmas odds in Richmond

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, Richmond had that in 3% of years, at least 3 inches in 0%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.1 inches and the deepest was 2 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 3% of years. Based on 29 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 31 (14%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Richmond

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 5	Oct 29 – Nov 15	Oct 23 (1997) / Dec 1 (2009)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 3	Mar 21 – Apr 17	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 21	Nov 11 – Dec 3	Nov 4 (1999) / Dec 15 (2004)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 19	Mar 4 – Mar 30	–	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 217 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Richmond Intl Ap (USW00013740), elevation 166 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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