There are twenty days left of summer, but Denali National Park in Alaska has skipped over fall and plunged straight into winter. Well, for now, anyways.
The National Weather Service station in Fairbanks, Alaska, confirmed on September 1, 2026, that “plenty of fresh snow” fell on Denali, North America’s tallest peak, and the surrounding peaks as well.
“Check out the snowy view this morning from the Eielson Visitor Center in Denali National Park!” wrote NWS Fairbanks. “The nearby weather station recorded a low temperature of 28°F this morning, with the FAA webcam capturing clear skies and plenty of fresh snow surrounding North America’s highest peak.”
Webcams in the region are showing fresh snow at a large range of elevations. Denali even peeked out of the clouds for a brief moment yesterday, September 1. See below.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park
Denali National Park
Snowfall is fairly common on Denali year-round, but significant accumulation at lower elevations is rare this time of year.
Alaska wasn’t the only place that recorded significant snowfall over the last week. Beartooth Highway in Montana and Wyoming saw fresh snow accumulate on the road, Crystal Mountain in Washington observed a few flakes at high elevations, and ski resorts in British Columbia and Alberta reported their first significant accumulations of the season.
In keeping with the early summer snowfall trend, Washington and Oregon’s volcanoes and tallest peaks may see significant snowfall before the week is over. 10-15 inches of snow could fall above 10,000 feet on Mt. Baker, Washington, according to Powderchasers.
The snow, rain, and cool temperatures are a relief for the West after a long, hot, and frustratingly dry summer. To make matters even more exciting, a supercharged El Niño is expected to bring increased moisture to the Southwest and Intermountain West this winter.
Game of Thrones
Winter is coming. Tell a friend.
Related: Mont Tremblant To Open Eight New Trails During 2027-28 Season
