Home › Virginia › Washington (Reagan National Airport)

When does it first snow in Washington (Reagan National Airport), VA?

At Washington (Reagan National Airport), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 19. 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 Dec 1, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 21 or later. The earliest was Nov 11 (1995-96) and the latest Feb 1 (2022-23). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 6, and 87% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 18, and the last freeze of spring around Mar 24.

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 19Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 6Median first 1"+ snowfall

13.5"Average snowfall per season

3%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

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

Mar 24Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

237Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Washington (Reagan National Airport)

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 19	Dec 1 – Jan 21	Nov 11 (1995-96)	Feb 1 (2022-23)	100%
1" of snow or more	Jan 6	Dec 5 – Jan 29	Nov 15 (2018-19)	Mar 25 (2012-13)	87%
3" of snow or more	Jan 21	Dec 18 – Mar 6	Dec 5 (2002-03)	Mar 21 (2017-18)	63%

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)	0%	10%	63%
1"+	0%	3%	33%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 1 (median).

White Christmas odds in Washington (Reagan National Airport)

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, Washington (Reagan National Airport) had that in 3% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.2 inches and the deepest was 7 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 3% 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 31 (20%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Washington (Reagan National Airport)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 18	Nov 9 – Dec 4	Nov 4 (2006) / Dec 22 (2001)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 24	Mar 8 – Apr 7	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 30	Nov 17 – Dec 19	Nov 11 (2017) / Dec 25 (2020)	87%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 10	Feb 17 – Mar 27	–	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 237 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Washington Reagan Natl Ap (USW00013743), elevation 13 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 Virginia (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).