Home › Delaware › Wilmington (Delaware)

When does it first snow in Wilmington (Delaware), DE?

At Wilmington (Delaware), the typical date of the first measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more in a day) is Dec 16. 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 23, and in 1 in 10 not until Jan 18 or later. The earliest was Oct 29 (2011-12) and the latest Feb 1 (2022-23). A first snowfall of at least 1 inch in a single day typically arrives around Jan 3, and 90% of seasons had one. The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Nov 4, and the last freeze of spring around Apr 8.

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 16Median first measurable snow (0.1"+)

Jan 3Median first 1"+ snowfall

19.6"Average snowfall per season

10%Chance of white Christmas (1"+ on ground Dec 25)

Nov 4Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Apr 8Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

211Median freeze-free days between

First snowfall dates at Wilmington (Delaware)

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 16	Nov 23 – Jan 18	Oct 29 (2011-12)	Feb 1 (2022-23)	97%
1" of snow or more	Jan 3	Dec 5 – Jan 21	Nov 15 (2018-19)	Feb 8 (1996-97)	90%
3" of snow or more	Jan 7	Dec 5 – Feb 20	Nov 15 (2018-19)	Mar 1 (2008-09)	73%

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%	20%	73%
1"+	0%	7%	43%

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

White Christmas odds in Wilmington (Delaware)

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, Wilmington (Delaware) had that in 10% of years, at least 3 inches in 3%, and at least 6 inches in 3%. The average depth on Dec 25 was 0.3 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 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 29 (26%). Red line: Dec 25.

First and last freeze dates in Wilmington (Delaware)

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Nov 4	Oct 24 – Nov 12	Oct 9 (2001) / Nov 17 (2020)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Apr 8	Mar 27 – Apr 21	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Nov 12	Nov 5 – Nov 20	Oct 31 (2011) / Nov 30 (2024)	97%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	Mar 27	Mar 21 – Apr 6	–	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 211 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: Wilmington New Castle Co Ap (USW00013781), elevation 74 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 Delaware (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).