Snow Accumulated on Pikes Peak
A storm system brought up to three inches of snow to the summit of Pikes Peak on Wednesday afternoon.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Snowfall reached three inches on Pikes Peak after a storm system moved into the region on Wednesday. The cold front brought temperatures down to 32 degrees at the 13,058-foot Devil's Playground.
Why it matters
The moisture arrives following a dry period in Colorado, where the state recorded its fifth driest January-July window since 1895. This storm is also noted as an early sign of an incoming El Niño weather pattern.
Snow accumulation reached three inches on Pikes Peak, which has an elevation of 14,115 feet. Temperatures at the 13,058-foot Devil's Playground dropped to 32 degrees with a wind chill of 14 degrees.
The players
Pikes Peak
It is a 14,115-foot mountain located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs.
Devil's Playground
It is a specific rock-strewn area at an elevation of 13,058 feet on Pikes Peak.
The details
A storm system blanketed the high-altitude areas of the peak in snow throughout Wednesday afternoon. The weather is expected to persist into Thursday with a 40% chance of continued rain and snow showers above 11,000 feet.
Timeline
Snow fell on Pikes Peak on Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026.
The storm is expected to continue through Thursday, Oct 1, 2026.
Colorado climate records have been tracked since 1895.
Seasonal Patterns
This snowfall offers a sharp contrast to the state's recent drought, as Colorado experienced its fifth driest January-July period since the 1895 start of Colorado state climate recordkeeping. The storm serves as a benchmark for local weather trends following that extended dry spell.
Drivers and visitors heading toward high-altitude areas should prepare for variable conditions, including a 40% chance of showers on Thursday. Temperatures at higher elevations are expected to range between 34 and 45 degrees, necessitating appropriate gear for those exposed to the elements.
The takeaway
The early season snow on the summit highlights the arrival of an El Niño pattern that could shift regional weather trends. Visitors should remain cautious of rapidly changing temperatures and potential wind chills that remain well below freezing at high elevations.
Further reading
For more information on the current weather status, visit the Colorado Springs Current Conditions page.
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