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When does it first snow in Wichita, KS?

At Wichita, 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 Oct 26, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 5 or later. The earliest was Oct 14 (2018-19) and the latest Jan 18 (2001-02). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Dec 16, and 97% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Oct 26, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 12.

This season so far (2026-27, data through Oct 15, 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 16Median first 1"+ snowfall

13.7"Average snowfall per season

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

Oct 26Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 12Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

196Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Wichita

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	Oct 26 – Jan 5	Oct 14 (2018-19)	Jan 18 (2001-02)	100%
1" of snow or more	Dec 16	Nov 22 – Feb 4	Oct 26 (2020-21)	Mar 27 (2015-16)	97%
3" of snow or more	Dec 22	Nov 30 – Mar 19	Nov 25 (2023-24)	Mar 28 (2008-09)	70%

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)	17%	47%	83%
1"+	3%	23%	70%

In spring, the last measurable snowfall of the season typically falls around Mar 8 (median).

White Christmas odds in Wichita

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, Wichita had that in 20% of years, at least 3 inches in 7%, and at least 6 inches in 0%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.5 inches and the deepest was 4 inches. New snow was falling (0.1" or more) on Christmas Day itself in 10% 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 31 (19%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Wichita

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Oct 26	Oct 12 – Nov 11	Sep 22 (1995) / Nov 13 (2015)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 12	Mar 27 – Apr 24	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 10	Oct 22 – Nov 24	Oct 8 (2000) / Dec 8 (1998)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 30	Mar 14 – Apr 15	–	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 196 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Wichita (USW00003928), elevation 1,400 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 Kansas (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).