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When does it first snow in South Bend, IN?

At South Bend, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 17. 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 30, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 9 or later. The earliest was Oct 12 (2006-07) and the latest Dec 17 (1998-99). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 21, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 18, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 28.

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 17Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 21Median first 1"+ snowfall

61.9"Average snowfall per season

48%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 18Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 28Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

170Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at South Bend

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 17	Oct 30 – Dec 9	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Dec 17 (1998-99)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 21	Nov 10 – Dec 9	Oct 31 (2023-24)	Dec 24 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 9	Nov 13 – Jan 8	Nov 9 (1996-97)	Jan 19 (1999-00)	100%

Based on 29 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)	17%	79%	100%
1"+	3%	69%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 6 (median).

White Christmas odds in South Bend

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, South Bend had that in 48% of years, at least 3 inches in 24%, and at least 6 inches in 14%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 1.8 inches and the deepest was 9 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 30% 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 21 (74%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in South Bend

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 7 – Nov 1	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 3 (1998)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 28	Apr 19 – May 16	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 3	Oct 29 – Nov 16	Oct 23 (1997) / Nov 22 (2024)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 17	Apr 1 – Apr 29	–	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 170 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: S Bend Ap (USW00014848), elevation 772 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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