First snow of the season recorded as Czech mountains get a taste of winter

The 2026–27 winter season has its first officially recorded settled snow: Sněžka woke to a continuous 2-centimeter covering Monday, Oct. 12, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, ČHMÚ.

The reading was taken at 8 a.m. by Polish meteorologists at the summit observatory and shared with their Czech colleagues. ČHMÚ described Monday as the first day of the season when a station in its reporting network recorded continuous snow cover at the regular morning measurement.

Snow began falling Sunday, bringing an early taste of winter to the Krkonoše ridges, the Jizerské hory and Šumava. Lower elevations, however, can still expect autumn sunshine and daytime temperatures reaching 18 degrees Celsius this week.

Sněžka had already seen its first snowflakes on Sept. 24, but they did not produce lasting cover. Sunday’s snowfall settled as summit temperatures remained below freezing, ČHMÚ said in its announcement.

The distinction matters: Monday marks the first measured continuous covering, rather than the season’s first snowfall.

Its arrival is later than in the previous two years. The first settled snow was recorded Oct. 2 in 2025 and as early as Sept. 12 in 2024. In 2023, it arrived Oct. 15.

This first white covering may be short-lived. Temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days, including above freezing in the mountains, making a thaw likely.

For now, it is a preview of winter rather than the start of lasting snowy conditions. But the forecast suggests another opportunity for mountain snowfall is approaching.

The working week will retain a typically autumnal pattern, with cold mornings, patches of fog and brighter afternoons.

Tuesday should be mostly dry, although temperatures may fall below freezing overnight in some places. Where low cloud persists, daytime highs will reach around 10 to 13 degrees Celsius.

Wednesday brings more cloud and light rain moving into Bohemia from the west before easing. Afternoon temperatures could reach 13 to 18 degrees.

Thursday and Friday are expected to turn brighter again. Sunshine could bring highs of 18 degrees, while areas beneath persistent fog or low cloud may remain at 12 degrees or below, according to the ČHMÚ forecast.

A colder, cloudier weekend is likely, with rain or showers in some areas and snow in the mountains. Meteorologists caution that the details remain uncertain.

The institute’s four-week outlook also anticipates wetter conditions later in the period, when mountain snow could remain on the ground for several days during colder spells.

Anyone heading uphill should prepare for a sharper change of season than the weather in Prague might suggest. Check the latest mountain forecast before setting out, and expect the possibility of freezing temperatures and snow even while the city is enjoying autumn sunshine.