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Powder on Pikes Peak a hopeful sign for snowfall this winter

Posted at 10:24 PM, Sep 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-06 14:22:47-04

COLORADO SPRINGS – The Pikes Peak Region didn’t have much of a winter last year.

However, recent snow on the top of America’s Mountain could mean a more promising snowfall this year, and it could trickle down to tourism and the local economy.

News 5 spoke with tourists on Wednesday who said it was pretty unusual to see snow in September.

Patricia Rios visiting from Panama said, “That’s so impressive and so amazing because I have never seen snow before.”

Mike Shipton from London said, “It was hail mostly when we were at the top and just as we were about to come down they were starting to plow the slush.”

For business owners, the snow is a blessing as they know just how essential it is to the local economy.

Scott Uhl, owner/manager at The Ski Shop, said, “Everybody’s curious when the snow’s coming, how much snow.”

It’s only September, but winter enthusiasts are already itching to hit the slopes.

“Just takes a little white stuff on the peaks to get the crew in…everybody here’s been really stoked. We’ve had a lot of people come in the store today and I think this is a good start to the season…we are super excited and we just want the snow to come a little earlier this year, and just continue in through March and April.”

Uhl said this wasn’t the case last year. Winter got a late start and decent snow didn’t fall until January.

“The lack of snow affects a lot of restaurants, hotel and motel business, of course the resorts up in the mountains as well as the local retailers.”

Colorado resident Magdalena Lyons said, “The winter was very mild and it was not snow up there in the mountains…maybe we’ll get a winter better than last year.”

News 5 Meteorologist Jeff Matthews weighed in on this recent snowfall and said, “I don’t know that it necessarily has a direct correlation to what’s coming our way, but it’s certainly a good portender. It’s a good indicator that maybe we might get off to a better start this winter than the lousy winter we had last winter.”

Matthews said the current weather pattern is leaning towards an El Niño. It’s not exactly promising more snow, but favorable conditions.