Denver, Colorado, sits on the high plains at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a unique geographic position that often results in unpredictable and dramatic weather shifts. The city’s location near the Front Range means it experiences a transitional climate, particularly during the shoulder seasons like spring. While April often brings days that feel like summer, it remains a month where heavy snow is not just possible but is a regular feature of the local climate. This meteorological duality sets the stage for a period of rapid weather change.
The Statistical Reality of April Snowfall
The answer to whether it snows in Denver in April is a definitive yes, and the data shows it is a relatively snowy month. On average, Denver receives approximately 5.3 inches of snow during April, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. This average accumulation is significant enough to rank April among the snowiest months of the year for the city. Historically, April is often the second or third snowiest month, following only March and sometimes December. The city typically records measurable snowfall on about four days throughout April. While the average high temperature climbs into the low 60s, the average date of the last measurable snowfall does not occur until the end of the month, around April 28th. The variability in April’s weather is highlighted by the record snowfall of 33.8 inches accumulated over the course of the month in 1933.
Understanding Denver’s Late-Season Snow Events
The mechanism behind Denver’s capacity for heavy late-season snow is a specific meteorological phenomenon known as “upslope flow.” For a significant snow event to occur, winds must blow from the east, often wrapping around a low-pressure system positioned to the south of Colorado. This easterly wind forces warm, moist air originating from the Gulf of Mexico to ascend the gradual incline of the Great Plains toward the Rocky Mountains. As this moist air rises, it cools rapidly, causing the moisture to condense and precipitate as snow—a process known as orographic lifting. The effectiveness of this mechanism is boosted when cold Arctic air simultaneously dips down from the north, providing the freezing temperatures needed to ensure the precipitation falls as snow rather than rain. The convergence of the cold air mass and the moist, rising air creates the perfect, and often intense, conditions for a classic Front Range snowstorm. Even though the sun angle is higher in April, the atmosphere can still be cold enough for heavy, wet snow when these ingredients align.
Snow Duration and Travel Implications
Despite the potential for heavy snow accumulation, the ground impact in Denver during April is typically short-lived due to the high sun angle and warming ground temperatures. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “melt factor,” which causes snow on paved surfaces like roads and sidewalks to melt quickly, sometimes even as it falls. Most snow accumulation on city streets and sidewalks is gone within 24 to 48 hours following the end of the storm, limiting the long-term disruption to daily life.
Travel Hazards
During the storm itself, travel can become hazardous, particularly due to slick pavement conditions and reduced visibility. Heavy, wet spring snow can lead to temporary road closures, and commercial air travel at Denver International Airport (DIA) can experience delays or cancellations. Travelers should monitor road conditions, especially on mountain passes and the Interstate 25 corridor. The need for specialized winter driving equipment, such as four-wheel drive, is usually only necessary for the short duration of the active snow event.