Snow at Christmas (Denver, Golden, Genesee: versus, bus, stats)

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I am considering visiting Denver for Christmas this year, and am hoping for snow on the ground. Do most Christmases have snow in Denver? Are certain parts of the metro area more likely to have snow; if so, where? I would not have a car so would have to rely on preferably light rail and if that is not available then busses.

[Mike from back east]

No, usually no snow on the ground on 12/25 but could be, one never knows. The mountains will have snow for sure but the metro area is hit/miss any given day.

[Katarina Witt]

Here are some stats:
"Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Here is the historical data for Denver since observations began more than a century ago.

If having a white Christmas means having one inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas Day, then the chances are about 38 percent (44 days in 117 years since snow depth measurements began in 1900).

On the other hand, if a white Christmas means having measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more) on Christmas Day, then the odds drop to about 15 percent (20 days in 135 years since snowfall measurement began in 1882)."

Lots of good information in this link.
https://www.weather.gov/bou/denver_xmassnowstats

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Are the odds any better in Golden? That appears to be as close to the mountains and as high in elevation as the light rail goes.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by brianpmcdonnell17

Are the odds any better in Golden? That appears to be as close to the mountains and as high in elevation as the light rail goes.

Not really. Golden is only 400' higher than Denver. If it's dry in Denver odds are you won't hit any appreciable snow until you're well into the foothills. Genesee is probably the closest area where you'll find snow and even then it's a crap shoot.

[brown_dog_us]

How about using the Bustang bus to Frisco? I've never used it, but for $20 round trip they will take you from downtown Denver to Frisco (close to Breckenridge).

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

Here are some stats:
"Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Here is the historical data for Denver since observations began more than a century ago.

If having a white Christmas means having one inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas Day, then the chances are about 38 percent (44 days in 117 years since snow depth measurements began in 1900).

On the other hand, if a white Christmas means having measurable snowfall (0.1 inch or more) on Christmas Day, then the odds drop to about 15 percent (20 days in 135 years since snowfall measurement began in 1882)."

Lots of good information in this link.
https://www.weather.gov/bou/denver_xmassnowstats

The two statements are contradicting.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

The two statements are contradicting.

How so?

Some people consider a white Christmas if there is snow on the ground.

Some people require it to be snowing to be a white Christmas.

Those are two different things.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Timmyy

How so?

Some people consider a white Christmas if there is snow on the ground.

Some people require it to be snowing to be a white Christmas.

Those are two different things.

So we're more likely to see over an inch of snow versus .1 inches of snow?

[illinoisphotographer]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

So we're more likely to see over an inch of snow versus .1 inches of snow?

Snow on the ground vs snowfall