Home › Wisconsin › Wausau

When does it first snow in Wausau, WI?

At Wausau, the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Nov 8. 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 16, and in 1 in 10 not until Nov 23 or later. The earliest was Oct 12 (2006-07) and the latest Nov 27 (2007-08). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Nov 20, 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 6.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 16, 2026): no measurable snow recorded yet; first freeze (32°F or colder) Oct 16 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 8Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Nov 20Median first 1"+ snowfall

63.1"Average snowfall per season

89%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Oct 6Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

May 6Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

151Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Wausau

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 8	Oct 16 – Nov 23	Oct 12 (2006-07)	Nov 27 (2007-08)	100%
1" of snow or more	Nov 20	Oct 27 – Dec 9	Oct 12 (2009-10)	Dec 28 (2015-16)	100%
3" of snow or more	Dec 9	Nov 11 – Jan 18	Oct 21 (1995-96)	Feb 4 (2020-21)	100%

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)	33%	100%	100%
1"+	19%	74%	100%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Apr 16 (median).

White Christmas odds in Wausau

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, Wausau had that in 89% of years, at least 3 inches in 68%, and at least 6 inches in 50%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 6.4 inches and the deepest was 15 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 21% of years. Based on 28 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 22 (99%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Wausau

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 28 – Oct 19	Sep 15 (2007) / Oct 25 (2017)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	May 6	Apr 23 – May 20	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Oct 20	Oct 5 – Nov 2	Oct 2 (2003) / Nov 11 (2016)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 23	Apr 8 – May 3	–	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 151 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Wausau Asos (USW00014897), elevation 1,201 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 Wisconsin (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).