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When does it first snow in Spokane, WA?

At Spokane, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 13. 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 24, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 27 or later. The earliest was Sep 28 (2019-20) and the latest Dec 10 (2002-03). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 13, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 12, 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 13Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 13Median first 1"+ snowfall

45.7"Average snowfall per season

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

Oct 12Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

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

167Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Spokane

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 13	Oct 24 – Nov 27	Sep 28 (2019-20)	Dec 10 (2002-03)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 13	Oct 30 – Nov 30	Sep 28 (2019-20)	Dec 27 (2014-15)	100%
3" of snow or more	Nov 29	Nov 4 – Jan 5	Oct 8 (2019-20)	Jan 22 (2018-19)	93%

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)	15%	96%	100%
1"+	11%	89%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 5 (median).

White Christmas odds in Spokane

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, Spokane had that in 48% of years, at least 3 inches in 31%, and at least 6 inches in 14%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.7 inches and the deepest was 20 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 31% 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 Dec 30 (59%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Spokane

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 12	Sep 28 – Oct 26	Sep 22 (2000) / Nov 3 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 29	Apr 15 – May 11	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 26	Oct 9 – Nov 11	Sep 23 (2000) / Dec 2 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 12	Mar 17 – May 6	–	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 167 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Spokane Intl Ap (USW00024157), elevation 2,355 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 Washington (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).