A Front Range winter isn't one long cold season. It's a run of quick storms with sunshine in between, and the melt-and-refreeze cycle that follows each one. Here's how a typical season tends to go from Denver to Colorado Springs. Any given year can differ.
Snowfall and freeze-thaw
| Place | Average seasonal snowfall | Freeze-thaw days a year |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 40.7 in | 125.0 |
| Colorado Springs | 32.5 in | 130.3 |
Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.1 Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.2
The season, month by month
The first snow often lands on warm ground and green trees. It melts fast on pavement, but shaded walks and bridges ice up overnight. Calibrate, pre-buy and fill storage now.
Storms come and go in a day or two. Strong sun melts the edges by afternoon and refreeze shows up by dawn. Treated salt and mag on runoff paths are the main tools.
Arctic air can push pavement temperatures into the single digits for a few days at a time. Plain salt stalls; treated salt, mag and calcium on walks carry the load.
March is often Denver's snowiest month. Heavy, wet upslope storms can drop a foot or more, then melt quickly. Push clean and manage meltwater.
Late snow on warm pavement usually melts fast, but nights can still freeze. Wrap the season, sweep and reuse leftover salt, and review your logs.
Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →