Mount Mansfield Sets Late First-Inch Snow Record
The snow stake on Vermont's highest peak has not yet reached one inch of depth, the latest on record for the site.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Mount Mansfield's snow stake, at around 3,900 feet, had not measured 1 inch of snow depth as of November 9, 2026, breaking the previous latest first-inch date. Some towns in the Northeast Kingdom and Coos County, New Hampshire picked up snow accumulation over the weekend.
Why it matters
The late arrival of measurable snow depth at the stake marks an unusual departure from the site's typical seasonal timing. It offers a concrete benchmark for tracking how the state's high-elevation snowpack is developing this autumn.
Records at the Mount Mansfield stake, which sits around 3,900 feet, date back to late November 1954 and show the earliest first inch on September 15, 1959. The stake's current status is still below the one-inch threshold, and the source does not specify how much additional snow the upper slopes may receive.
The details
Mount Mansfield's record was established by comparing the current date of no measurable inch against the historical first-inch dates kept at the stake. Some towns in the Northeast Kingdom and Coos County, New Hampshire also picked up snow accumulation over the weekend, while the rest of the workweek is expected to remain chilly with additional chances for mountain snow showers.
Timeline
September 15, 1959: Earliest first inch of snow depth recorded at Mount Mansfield.
October 16: Average date Mount Mansfield reaches its first inch of snow depth.
November 9, 1985: Previous latest first inch of snow depth recorded.
November 9, 2026: Stake still under one inch, setting the new late record.
Thursday into Friday: Shot at steadier snow in high elevations, especially south.
Seasonal Patterns
The November 9, 1985 first-inch date is the prior latest benchmark at the Mount Mansfield stake, and the site's 1954 records show that 2026 has now surpassed it. Measured against the October 16 average, the late arrival places this autumn among the slowest on the site's historical record.
Anyone traveling to Mount Mansfield or the surrounding high elevations should check current mountain conditions before departing, since the rest of the workweek brings chances for snow showers. Drivers heading to elevated terrain in Vermont should expect possible slick conditions through Thursday and Friday.
The takeaway
An unusually late first inch of snow at Mount Mansfield signals a slower start to the season at high elevations, so watching the stake's readings can help gauge how quickly the mountain's snowpack develops. Checking local forecasts before travel is the most practical step for anyone heading into the high country this week.
Further reading
For ongoing readings across the state, see Current Conditions in Vermont.
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