Home › Michigan › Sault Ste. Marie

When does it first snow in Sault Ste. Marie, MI?

At Sault Ste. Marie, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Oct 27. 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 15 or later. The earliest was Oct 2 (1998-99) and the latest Nov 25 (2024-25). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 6, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 14, and the last freeze of spring around May 17.

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.

Oct 27Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

126.6"Average snowfall per season

89%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

May 17Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

150Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Sault Ste. Marie

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 27	Oct 11 – Nov 15	Oct 2 (1998-99)	Nov 25 (2024-25)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 6	Oct 17 – Nov 26	Oct 11 (2012-13)	Dec 19 (1998-99)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 19	Nov 1 – Dec 11	Oct 11 (2012-13)	Dec 19 (1998-99)	100%

Based on 27 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)	67%	100%	100%
1"+	30%	96%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 24 (median).

White Christmas odds in Sault Ste. Marie

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, Sault Ste. Marie had that in 89% of years, at least 3 inches in 82%, and at least 6 inches in 68%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 9.7 inches and the deepest was 36 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 62% of years. Based on 28 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 11 (100%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Sault Ste. Marie

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 14	Oct 1 – Oct 22	Sep 10 (1995) / Oct 25 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 17	May 4 – May 29	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 28	Oct 12 – Nov 7	Oct 3 (1996) / Nov 24 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 25	Apr 10 – May 5	–	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 150 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Fld (USW00014847), elevation 721 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 Michigan (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).