18 Inches of Snow Fall on Pikes Peak as El Niño Pattern Begins

Colorado recorded its fifth driest January-July period since recordkeeping began in 1895, but a storm system brought up to 18 inches of snow to Pikes Peak over a five-day period ending October 1, 2026, according to CBS Colorado. The snowfall on the 14,115-foot mountain marks the beginning of an anticipated El Niño pattern across the state for the fall season.

Snow Accumulates on Pikes Peak

Snow started falling on the mountain in Colorado Springs on the afternoon of September 30, 2026. CBS Colorado First Alert Meteorologist Joe Ruch traveled to Devil’s Playground on the peak, which sits at an altitude of 13,058 feet, roughly 1,000 feet below the summit.

During the meteorologist’s visit, the temperature at Devil’s Playground reached 32 degrees, with a wind chill making it feel like 14 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, the season’s first meaningful snow accumulation hit the peak on September 30, 2026, dropping up to 13 inches by 6 a.m. the following day and bringing the five-day total to 18 inches.

El Nino Weather Pattern Emerges

The storm system arriving on Pikes Peak is tied to the start of an El Niño weather pattern expected to influence conditions across Colorado throughout the fall. Worldnews.com reported that the accumulation on the peak aligns with this shifting climate pattern following persistent drought conditions throughout much of the year.

Storm System Brings Rain and Snow to Pikes Peak

The active storm system was expected to continue bringing weather impacts into Thursday, October 1, 2026. Forecasters predicted partly sunny conditions for elevations above 11,000 feet on Pikes Peak, accompanied by a 40 percent chance of rain and snow showers and high temperatures reaching between 34 and 45 degrees.