Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts First Winter Snowfall in Colorado

After a couple of months of blazing hot summer temps and weeks of wildfires, no one blames Colorado for thinking about cooler fall temps. Believe it or not, the state’s first snowfall could be just weeks away, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Will an early snow make a surprise appearance this year? Where will it fall first, and how will this year compare to some of the recent winters in the Centennial State?

What the Almanac Predicts

• According to the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac, Colorado should expect a colder, snowier winter than last year. The Intermountain region, which includes most of Colorado, is likely to experience early snow in the high country by late September or early October. If you are ready for the chill of an early fall, the Almanac predicts below-average temperatures for Colorado by October and November.
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac says Colorado should be ready for a significant cold snap of the year in mid-October, with a substantial snow event impacting the mountain passes and Front Range foothills by early November. Overall, the Almanac says Colorado should brace for an early start to winter weather this year.

First Snow Patterns by Elevation

In Colorado, the higher the elevation, the sooner the snow arrives. Communities like Leadville (10,154 ft), Telluride (8,750 ft), Aspen (8000 ft), and Breckenridge (9,728 ft) usually welcome their first measurable snow by mid to late September.

Denver (5,280 ft) waits until mid-to-late October for snow, while Colorado Springs (6,035 ft) follows in late October/early November. Here on the Western Slope, Grand Junction (4,593 ft) is the holdout. It is not uncommon for the first measurable snow to arrive in the Grand Valley in November, but that is just an average. Depending on the year, these averages can swing by a wide margin.

Record Early Snowfalls in Colorado

Snow in September happens more than some Coloradans expect. Denver holds one of the earliest records for measurable winter snowfall, on September 3, 1961. One of the earliest snowfalls in Grand Junction occurred on September 18, 1971. Colorado Springs once got snow on September 14, 1974.

• Denver’s Earliest Snowfall (September 3, 1961): Denver was dusted with 4.2 inches of snow.
• Colorado Springs Turns White (September 14, 1974): Colorado Springs got light snowfall before the fall season officially began.
• Grand Junction’s Earliest Snowfall (September 18, 1971): A rare early winter storm.
• Telluride's Earliest Snowfall (September 3, 1961): An early storm dropped 5 inches of snow.

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