When will it start snowing in Massachusetts this winter?

BOSTON — If you think it’s too early to talk about snow, here’s a reminder that you only have 39 shopping days left until Christmas. Before you know it, flakes will be flying in the Boston area, but how fast exactly?

When will Boston see its first snow of the season?

If we look strictly at averages, our first measurable snowfall in the city of Boston occurs around November 28, which happens to be Thanksgiving this year.

Further inland, the first measurable snow date occurs earlier. For example, in Worcester the average is November 18.

These ‘first’ dates have become increasingly popular in recent years. Last year it took until December 6 in Boston before any snow fell. Since 2015, it has only snowed in the city twice before Thanksgiving.

Broadening the scope a bit, we see that the average date of the first inch of snow in Boston is December 11 (November 26 in Worcester).

The first 3″+ storm in Boston will arrive on December 27 (December 11 in Worcester).

We have had fewer and fewer white Christmases in recent years. Technically there’s about a 50-50 chance north and west of Boston, but in our current state of climate you might want to bet the least on that proposition.

Boston’s last big snowstorm

What about bigger storms, you ask? Well, we don’t actually get those anymore. That’s a bit of sarcasm, but it’s been almost 1,000 days since the city of Boston had a storm of four inches or more, the longest streak on record.

We have to go all the way back to February 25, 2022, for what some would call a “real” snowstorm.

The past two winters have both ranked in the top 5 least snowy winters in Boston history.

If we keep doing this, we’ll forget how to drive in the snow.

How Much Snow Will Boston See This Winter?

Will this winter be another “dud”? Sorry to be a tease, but you’ll have to wait until next Thursday for that answer. This is when we broadcast our official WBZ winter weather forecast!

For now there is none snow in short-term forecasting. There are some indications of one possible pattern change (colder/wetter) in the 7-14 day period, but honestly, we’ll believe it when we see it.

Many of you could have cleared the snow with a dust breaker over the past few measly years. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to fill up the snow blower and take it for a test drive soon.