Denver, Cheyenne, Billings and Duluth Still Waiting for First Snow as Just 1.9% of the Lower 48 Has Snow on the Ground, the Second-Lowest Since 2003
DENVER, COLORADO — Winter is off to an unusually slow start across the United States. As of Monday, November 9, 2026, only 1.9% of the Lower 48 has snow on the ground, far below the typical 9.7% for this date.
It is the second-lowest snow cover for November 9 since records in this dataset began in 2003, behind only 2016.
Snow Cover by the Numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Lower 48 snow cover, Nov. 9, 2026 | 1.9% |
| Average for Nov. 9, 2003 to 2025 | 9.7% |
| Only lower Nov. 9 since 2003 | 0.6% in 2016 |
| Ranking | 2nd-least since 2003 |
Rockies Almost Completely Bare
A satellite image taken Sunday, November 8, shows the Rocky Mountains nearly free of snow, an unusual sight for early November. Normally, the high country would already have a solid snowpack building by this time.
Big Cities Still Waiting on Their First Snow
Several cities that usually see snow by now have not recorded any yet:
| City | First Snow Status | How Rare This Is |
|---|---|---|
| Denver, Colorado | No snow yet | Only 19 of 134 years this late |
| Cheyenne, Wyoming | No snow yet | Only 8 of 143 years this late |
| Billings, Montana | No snow yet | Only 14 of 92 years this late |
| Duluth, Minnesota | No snow yet | Only 12 of 122 years this late |
Cheyenne’s Wait Is Especially Rare
In Cheyenne, a first snow this late has happened in only 8 of 143 years, making this one of the latest starts to the snow season on record for the city.
Denver’s Snowless Streak Continues
Denver has gone without its first snow in only 19 of 134 years this late in the season. The Mile High City typically sees its first snowfall in October.
Why the Country Has So Little Snow
The lack of snow follows a very warm fall across much of the country, including:
- An exceptionally warm October in the Midwest and Great Lakes
- Record high temperatures in places like Buffalo, New York
- A dry stretch across much of the West
- Late first freezes in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago
Snow Could Be on the Way Soon
The slow start may not last much longer. Forecasts show:
- Significant snow building across Western ski areas heading into Thanksgiving
- A possible coastal storm bringing mountain snow to the Northeast later this week
- Colder air spreading across the eastern half of the country
What Low Snow Cover Means
Little snow on the ground in early November can mean:
- Warmer temperatures, since bare ground absorbs more sunlight
- Delayed ski season openings in some areas
- Drier soil and vegetation in parts of the West
- A later start to winter recreation
Tips for Winter Prep Even Without Snow
- Service snow blowers and gather winter gear now
- Check vehicle tires and emergency kits
- Watch forecasts for the first snow of the season
Outlook: A Slow Start, but Winter Is Coming
While snow cover is near record lows for early November, forecasters expect winter weather to ramp up in the coming weeks as colder air and storms move in.
Stay with Bchssreport.com for the latest updates on this story.
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