August snow in Colorado? National Weather Service says there's a chance

It may seem like summer just started, but it's actually already on its way out. The midpoint of the season was August 6 and nighttime temperatures around Colorado are already serving as a reminder that autumn is on the way.

With cooler nighttime temperatures, it's important for outdoor recreators to plan for cold rain and potential snow on wet nights and early mornings.

According to the National Weather Service , there were "likely a few flakes" that fell on Berthoud Pass on the night of August 14, as temperatures had already dropped to a chilly 34 degrees by 8:45 p.m. with plenty of precipitation. Of course, that doesn't mean there's significant accumulation in the area of this 11,306-foot mountain pass, but it does mean it's time for an annual word of caution about the changing seasons.

Meanwhile, climbers of Longs Peaks have reported a dusting of snow on the mountain on Thursday morning, which can have big impacts when it comes to traveling in 'Class Three' terrain.

Those in high country areas shouldn't be surprised if they wake up to a frosted tent or encounter slick surfaces while summiting the state's highest peaks. Any significant snow is still probably at least a month away, but it doesn't take much snow to totally change the backcountry experience.

Fourteener climbers should be prepared for low visibility and a thin layer of snow on rocky surfaces during particularly wet days. This will also make it more crucial to pack plenty of layers to wear in the event that the clouds roll in causing temperatures to suddenly drop 20-plus degrees.

It might not be time to break out the boot spikes just yet, but having some sort of traction in the hiking bag as a safety net might not be a bad idea, especially once September hits.

Follow along with National Weather Service reports here .

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