Aspen Snowfall Totals & Accumulation Averages

This page pulls together information on when, how much and how often Aspen, Colorado has snow.

There are data and descriptions here of how many days it snows and the total amount of snowfall that Aspen usually gets. There are also monthly and yearly counts of the days that Aspen normally has heavy snowstorms and deep snow accumulated on the ground. Plus there's information on when the ski resort can expect its first and last snowfalls of the season.

All the numbers are averages, based on climate data gathered in Aspen from 1991 to 2020.

How Often it Snows in Aspen

This first table lists monthly and yearly totals for amount of snow and how many days it snows at least 0.1 inches (0.25 centimetres).

Average total snowfall and days with fresh snow in Aspen
Days   Inches Centi­metres
12.0 January 28.1 71.4
11.6 February 28.3 71.9
9.5 March 26.9 68.3
8.4 April 20.9 53.1
2.5 May 7.0 17.8
0.2 June 0.4 1.0
0.7 September 1.0 2.5
4.0 October 10.2 25.9
8.3 November 20.5 52.1
11.3 December 27.5 69.9
68.5 Year 170.8 433.8

These averages don't show how much the snowfall in Aspen varies from year to year.

In December, for instance, one in four years totals at least 34.6 inches of snow. Another 25 percent of years receive less than 17.7 inches for the month.

Similarly in January, fresh snowfall in the heaviest years amounts to over 34.9 inches, while the lightest years get less than 21.5 inches.

New snow for February ranges from over 34.7 inches in heavy snowfall years to under 20.9 inches in light years.

When Aspen Has Its First & Last Snowfalls

The first snowfall of winter for Aspen most often arrives in October. About twice in a decade some snow lands in September.

The season's last snowfall typically happens in May, but some years also get a little snow in June.

Aspen is normally free of snow every year during July and August.

How Many Snowstorms Aspen Gets

Most days of snowfall in Aspen leave an inch or more of fresh snow on the ground. For 24 days a year on average, the amount of new snow totals at least three inches.

Snowstorms that drop over five inches in a day normally occur ten times a year. But major blizzards that dump ten inches or more in one day are uncommon events, that arrive just once or twice a year.

Number of days per month and year on average in Aspen with a total snowfall of at least 1, 3, 5 or 10 inches
1 inch
2.5 cm
3 inches
7.6 cm
  5 inches
12.7 cm
10 inches
25.4 cm
8.5 3.7 January 1.3 0.2
8.5 3.5 February 1.7 0.1
7.3 3.8 March 1.6 0.2
6.3 3.1 April 1.1 0.1
1.9 1.0 May 0.4 0.0
0.1 0.1 June 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.2 September 0.0 0.0
2.8 1.5 October 0.6 0.1
6.8 3.3 November 1.5 0.2
8.2 3.3 December 1.3 0.3
50.7 23.5 Year 9.5 1.2

How Much Snow Normally Accumulates in Aspen

For nearly half the year, Aspen has at least an inch of snow on the ground.

Snow accumulates to twenty or more inches deep throughout most of January to March. Although each spring and fall are different, the snowpack in Aspen can top ten inches anytime from October to May.

Average total days per month and year in Aspen with snow depth of at least 1, 3, 5 or 10 inches on the ground
1 inch
2.5 cm
3 inches
7.6 cm
  5 inches
12.7 cm
10 inches
25.4 cm
31.0 31.0 January 30.6 29.5
28.5 28.5 February 28.5 28.3
30.3 30.2 March 29.9 28.9
18.3 16.1 April 14.1 11.2
3.1 2.0 May 1.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 June 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.2 September 0.1 0.0
4.8 3.1 October 1.6 0.1
20.6 18.0 November 14.0 4.7
30.5 29.8 December 28.8 22.8
167.5 158.9 Year 148.7 125.7
Reference

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Climate Normals.

Colorado Snowfall
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