First Snow of the Season Covers Pikes Peak
Winter made an early appearance on America’s Mountain this week as Pikes Peak received its first snow of the season, coating the 14,115-foot summit in fresh powder.
Snow began falling at the summit Wednesday, Sept. 23, as temperatures dropped into the low 30s. Images from cameras near the Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center and along the Cog Railway showed snow accumulating across the upper mountain.
By Friday, reports indicated that several inches of snow had accumulated in areas around the summit, with some locations receiving up to roughly four inches.
The first snowfall comes just as fall begins across Colorado, offering an early reminder that winter weather can arrive quickly at higher elevations. Pikes Peak, which towers more than 14,000 feet above Colorado Springs, routinely sees its first snow in late September or October.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at the summit were around freezing when the first snow arrived. The combination of chilly temperatures and moisture from showers moving through the region created the conditions for the season’s first accumulation.
While Colorado Springs remained largely free of snow at lower elevations, the white-covered summit provided a noticeable preview of the months ahead.
For residents and visitors across the Pikes Peak region, the snowfall is one of the first visible signs that Colorado’s warmer months are giving way to the colder season.
The National Weather Service is also forecasting additional chances for rain and snow at the summit next week, with temperatures expected to fall further as September comes to a close.
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