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When does it first snow in Sioux Falls, SD?

At Sioux Falls, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 6. 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 12, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 22 or later. The earliest was Oct 1 (1999-00) and the latest Dec 20 (2004-05). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 12, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 3, and the last freeze of spring around May 1.

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 6Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 12Median first 1"+ snowfall

43.0"Average snowfall per season

47%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 3Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 1Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

154Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Sioux Falls

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 6	Oct 12 – Nov 22	Oct 1 (1999-00)	Dec 20 (2004-05)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 12	Oct 16 – Dec 19	Oct 1 (1999-00)	Jan 20 (2011-12)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 4	Nov 7 – Jan 22	Oct 25 (2020-21)	Apr 4 (2008-09)	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)	43%	97%	100%
1"+	27%	77%	90%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 12 (median).

White Christmas odds in Sioux Falls

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, Sioux Falls had that in 47% of years, at least 3 inches in 30%, and at least 6 inches in 13%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.4 inches and the deepest was 14 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 27% 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 (71%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Sioux Falls

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 3	Sep 21 – Oct 14	Sep 15 (2007) / Oct 23 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 1	Apr 22 – May 15	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 12	Sep 30 – Oct 28	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 18 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 22	Apr 14 – May 12	–	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 154 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Sioux Falls (USW00014944), elevation 1,495 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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