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When does it first snow in Waterloo, IA?

At Waterloo, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 14. 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 25, and in 1 in 10 not until Dec 13 or later. The earliest was Oct 14 (2018-19) and the latest Dec 22 (2017-18). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 26, and 100% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 6, and the last freeze of spring around May 3.

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 14Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 26Median first 1"+ snowfall

37.9"Average snowfall per season

50%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 6Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 3Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

155Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Waterloo

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 14	Oct 25 – Dec 13	Oct 14 (2018-19)	Dec 22 (2017-18)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 26	Nov 4 – Dec 20	Oct 22 (2013-14)	Jan 31 (2001-02)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 27	Nov 24 – Jan 31	Oct 26 (1997-98)	Mar 12 (2016-17)	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)	20%	67%	100%
1"+	10%	60%	93%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 26 (median).

White Christmas odds in Waterloo

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, Waterloo had that in 50% of years, at least 3 inches in 40%, and at least 6 inches in 17%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 2.8 inches and the deepest was 14 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 27 (80%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Waterloo

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 6	Sep 20 – Oct 16	Sep 13 (2014) / Oct 22 (2021)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 3	Apr 18 – May 16	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 18	Oct 6 – Oct 28	Sep 30 (2003) / Oct 31 (2014)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 3 – May 4	–	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 155 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Waterloo Muni Ap (USW00094910), elevation 867 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 Iowa (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).