November 1, 2024

Denver and the metro area could see its first snowfall of the season

Denver’s average first snowfall date is Oct. 18, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.

DENVER — The wait for Denver’s first snowfall in the 2024-2025 season may be nearing its end.

Forecast weather models are showing Denver will get its first snowfall overnight Sunday and Monday morning. 9NEWS Meteorologist Chris Bianchi said this first snow will be no big deal for the metro area, with most places getting only a slushy coating.

Very early modeling shows that this coming week could be active with additional storms on Wednesday and Friday. Bianchi said initial modeling shows Wednesday’s storm could drop semi-impactful snow along the Front Range foothills and the Palmer Divide areas. Most of the metro area could see an inch or two.

Bianchi said to take Wednesday’s modeling with a grain of salt as it is still five days out and storm factors and setups can change drastically.

If 0.01 inches of snow falls at the National Weather Service’s official station at Denver International Airport, it would be two weeks later than the average first snowfall for the city, which is Oct. 18. While late, Nov. 4 doesn’t even crack the top 10 for latest first snows.

Latest first snows in Denver since 1882

  • Dec. 10, 2021 – 0.3 inches
  • Nov. 21, 1934 – 1.03
  • Nov. 19, 1931 – 1.04
  • Nov. 17, 2016 – 1.75
  • Nov. 16, 1894 – 2.6
  • Nov. 15, 2010 – 1.5, Nov. 15, 1988 – 2.5, Nov. 15, 1987 – 6.1, Nov. 15, 1902 – 4.0
  • Nov. 14, 2008 – 0.1, Nov. 14, 1964 – 4.2, Nov. 14, 1944 – 0.1

Denver’s first snowfall dates the last 10 years

  • Oct. 28, 2023
  • Nov. 4, 2022
  • Dec. 10, 2021
  • Sept. 8, 2020
  • Oct. 10, 2019
  • Oct. 6, 2018
  • Oct. 9, 2017
  • Nov. 17, 2016
  • Nov. 5, 2015
  • Nov. 11, 2014

Denver’s earliest snow dates

  • Sept. 3,1961 – 4.2 inches
  • Sept., 8, 2020 – 1.0
  • Sept. 8, 1962 – 0.74
  • Sept. 12, 1989 – 2.35
  • Sept. 12, 1974 – 1.86
  • Sept. 13, 1993 – 5.47
  • Sept. 16, 1971 – 2.78
  • Sept. 19, 1955 – 0.29
  • Sept. 20, 1995 – 4.7
  • Sept. 20, 1965 – 3.5

Even though the metro area hasn’t seen falling flakes this season, the higher peaks in the San Juans in southwest Colorado have picked up more than a foot of snow, and earlier this week the mountains along Interstate 70 got significant accumulations.

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