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When does it first snow in Rochester (New York), NY?

At Rochester (New York), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 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 Oct 27, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 22 or later. The earliest was Oct 12 (2006-07) and the latest Dec 2 (2024-25). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 22, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 27, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 29.

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 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 22Median first 1"+ snowfall

97.2"Average snowfall per season

50%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 27Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 29Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

176Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Rochester (New York)

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 8	Oct 27 – Nov 22	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 2 (2024-25)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 22	Nov 9 – Dec 10	Nov 1 (2002-03)	Dec 28 (2015-16)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 11	Nov 15 – Jan 18	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Mar 4 (2022-23)	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)	20%	93%	100%
1"+	0%	63%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 11 (median).

White Christmas odds in Rochester (New York)

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, Rochester (New York) had that in 50% of years, at least 3 inches in 23%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.4 inches and the deepest was 7 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 47% 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 Feb 14 (78%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Rochester (New York)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 27	Oct 4 – Nov 4	Sep 29 (2000) / Nov 8 (2014)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 29	Apr 17 – May 14	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 8	Oct 25 – Nov 23	Oct 13 (2012) / Dec 8 (2001)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 12	Mar 30 – Apr 24	–	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 176 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Rochester Gtr Intl (USW00014768), elevation 540 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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