Denver's snowless streak ends after 232 days
This year is in a tie with 1887 for longest consecutive days without snow for the Mile High City
The first measurable snow in Denver fell on Dec. 10, 2021 after 233 days. Pictured in this photo is a light snow dusting outside the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. (Image: Joe Dahlke/FOX Weather)
(FOX Weather)
DENVER – The Mile High City had its first measurable snowfall of the season Friday, ending a tie for the longest snowless streak for Denver and setting a new record for the latest first snow of the season.
Flakes started to fall overnight in the central Rockies Thursday, and by early Friday, light snowfall started in Denver, ending a 232-day run without snow.
On Friday, the first powder in Denver was part of a widespread and significant winter storm forecast to drop heavy snow over the central Rockies to the Central Plains and upper Midwest.
A winter storm warning remains for the central Rockies until 5 p.m. Mountain. According to the NWS, heavy snow between 6 and 11 inches and wind gusts as high as 50 mph are possible.
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The NWS reports snow measured at .3 inches at the Denver International Airport. According to the latest snowfall reports, areas around the airport, including Aurora and Commerce City, reported 1 inch.
According to the NWS, this is a tie for the longest snowless streak in recorded history. Previously, the NWS said the record was 235 days, but after reviewing the data again, it said it had "miscounted," and the record was 232 days.
In 1887, Denver went 232 consecutive days without measurable snow, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.
To determine the record, the NWS used data from Denver’s daily precipitation and snowfall logs and data from the official monthly climate summaries.
"We were able to correct a couple of dates on our list. This is why recording AND maintaining climate records is important," the NWS in Boulder wrote in a tweet.
Denver had already surpassed its record for the latest first snow. The previous record set in 1934 was Nov. 21.
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Image 1 of 5Archie, a golden retriever, smells out the first snow in Denver. (Image: Kelly Speck) ( )
![Snow in Denver on Dec. 10, 2021 ended a 233-day snowless streak. (Image credit: Kelly Speck)]()
Image 2 of 5Snow in Denver on Dec. 10, 2021 ended a 233-day snowless streak. (Image credit: Kelly Speck) ( )
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Image 3 of 5Snow in Denver on Dec. 10, 2021 ended a 233-day snowless streak. (Image credit: Kelly Speck) ( )
![Archie, a golden retriever, smells out the first snow in Denver. (Image: Kelly Speck)]()
Image 4 of 5Archie, a golden retriever, smells out the first snow in Denver in 233 days. (Image: Kelly Speck) ( )
![Pictured in this photo is a light dusting of snow outside the Denver Center for the Performing Arts]()
Image 5 of 5The first measurable snow in Denver fell on Dec. 10, 2021 after 233 days. Pictured in this photo is a light snow dusting outside the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. (Image: Joe Dahlke/FOX Weather) ( )
Into the Rockies, Red Mountain Pass reported 19 inches of snow between Thursday night and Friday morning.
Around Denver urban areas, residents captured the first flakes of the season.