October Will Pass Without 'First Measurable Snow' In Denver

DENVER (CBS4) - It feels like we're in a snow drought, and some are okay with that! Others can't wait for the first flakes to fly.

For those eagerly awaiting the first measurable snow, all eyes are on an approaching storm system set to arrive late Sunday.

DATA CORRECTION

In a previous version of this story, it was stated that the last time no measurable snow fell in Denver by Halloween was in 1972.

It turns out there was an error in the data analysis and that this has happened in more recent history.

In fact, the last time Denver made it through the month of October with no measurable snowfall was in 2010.

MEASURABLE SNOW

The first measurable snowfall of the season is defined as anything adding up to a tenth of an inch or greater at the official weather station.

Denver's snow measurement is made at Denver International Airport.

DENVER CLIMATE RECORD

Denver's official climate station has a long and rich, but complicated history.

It can create some confusion when trying to interpret the data.

There are a number of sporadic and unofficial climate records for a variety of locations in the city of Denver that date back to November 7, 1859.

But the official climate station began in November 1871 at what is now 16th and Larimer.

In 1916, the Weather Bureau moved into the Post Office building located at 19th and Stout.

In the 1930s and 1940s, weather monitoring began at Stapleton Airport, and for several years, observations were made in both locations, but Stapleton did not become the official Denver observation until January 1, 1950.

In March 1995, the observation program was moved to Denver International Airport, with the exception of the snow observation, which wasn't moved to DIA until 2008.