Large snownado recorded at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado

On January 13, 2024, visitors at the Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado witnessed an unusually large ‘snownado’, also known as a snow devil. This rare meteorological phenomenon, akin to dust devils but with snow, typically features winds below 80 km/h (50 mph). Fortunately, there were no injuries or damages reported.

On January 13, 2024, skiers and snowboarders at the Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado were treated to a rare and stunning natural spectacle: a large ‘snownado’, also referred to as a snow devil. This phenomenon, which is akin to a dust devil but composed of snow, captivated onlookers with its size and intensity.

Snownadoes, while generally considered small-scale meteorological events with winds typically below 80 km/h (50 mph), can be damaging when accompanied by higher winds. However, the snownado observed at Breckenridge was an exception in terms of its size. It was notably larger than what is typically seen, creating an impressive visual display against the backdrop of the ski resort.

Despite its size, the snownado at Breckenridge did not pose a danger to the resort’s visitors. There were no reports of anyone being caught up in it, and no injuries or damages were reported. This was fortunate, as snownadoes, while fascinating to witness, can pose risks if they interact with people or infrastructure.

Featured image credit: FOX Weather (stillshot)