CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - As the leaves begin to fall, October is also known to sometimes have some snowflakes.  What kind of winter is expected in Massachusetts October is known for its beautiful fall colors and frosty mornings but there have been years it had snow in western Massachusetts. Back in 2011 parts of western Massachusetts saw over a foot of snow from the famous October snowstorm on October 29th. October is no stranger to snow with an average of 0.2 inches of snow for the month.  When it comes to the first measurable inch of snow, typically happens around mid-late November in the Pioneer Valley. The average snowfall for the winter here in western Massachusetts is 49.5 inches. Last year for the 2023-24 season we only received 20.7 inches at Westover Airbase in Chicopee.  Winter officially starts in 78 days on December 21st.  Local News Headlines Driver rescued after two-vehicles crash in Springfield intersection What kind of winter is expected in Massachusetts Here’s when Massachusetts usually sees snow Report shines light on “troubling trend” at Mass. hospitals WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.