The Fell Winter lasted from the years 2911 to 2912 of the Third Age, beginning in November of the former year. However, unlike the earlier Long Winter, Sauron was not able to launch a full attack in this period, as the War of the Dwarves and Orcs of a full century earlier had eliminated most of his Orc troops in the north, and the Haradrim had been badly defeated in 2885.

The winter was also less harsh than the Long Winter, and snow and ice stopped in Eriador at the Gwathló river, and in Rhovanion in the middle of Mirkwood. Nevertheless there were problems, as food again ran short, and the Hobbits of the Shire were attacked by wolves and Orcs which crossed the frozen Baranduin river. Gandalf and the Rangers of the North had to provide food for the Hobbits to prevent them from dying of hunger.

In March, when the winter ended, great floods of meltwater rushed down Gwathló, and the city of Tharbad was ruined and its bridge broken. The people of Enedwaith also suffered greatly as their lands were flooded.