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When does it first snow in Springfield (Illinois), IL?

At Springfield (Illinois), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 4. 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 Nov 11, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 28 or later. The earliest was Oct 31 (2019-20) and the latest Jan 1 (2020-21). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 12, 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 Apr 15.

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.

Dec 4Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Dec 12Median first 1"+ snowfall

21.5"Average snowfall per season

20%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

Apr 15Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

182Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Springfield (Illinois)

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)	Dec 4	Nov 11 – Dec 28	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Jan 1 (2020-21)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 12	Nov 23 – Jan 8	Oct 31 (2019-20)	Jan 15 (2021-22)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 30	Nov 25 – Feb 18	Nov 11 (2019-20)	Mar 29 (2008-09)	90%

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)	3%	40%	93%
1"+	3%	20%	80%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 14 (median).

White Christmas odds in Springfield (Illinois)

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, Springfield (Illinois) had that in 20% of years, at least 3 inches in 10%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.7 inches and the deepest was 5 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 17% 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 14 (40%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Springfield (Illinois)

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 3 – Oct 30	Sep 23 (1995) / Nov 12 (2016)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 15	Apr 5 – Apr 25	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 26	Oct 12 – Nov 7	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 20 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 1	Mar 20 – Apr 13	–	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 182 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Springfield Abraham Lincoln Ca (USW00093822), elevation 590 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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