How Unusual Is Late April Snow? — Listen To Prince

InnovationScienceHow Unusual Is Late April Snow? — Listen To PrinceByMarshall Shepherd,Senior Contributor.Follow AuthorApr 28, 2026, 07:51am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.European robin (erithacus rubecula) in snowfall sitting on a branch in early spring.gettyThe great musician Prince penned a song called “Sometimes It Snows In April.” That masterpiece came to mind as I looked through the weather maps today as snow is expected in parts of the United States. What’s happening and how unusual is late April snowfall?Record-setting Snow In EuropeOn Sunday into Monday, a rare snowstorm impacted Moscow. Several records were broken as heavy, wet snow caused downed trees and temporary power outages. It’s unusual to see nearly 8 inches of snow there this late in the season. Media outlets reported that it was the most snowfall on record for the date. A pattern called an “omega block” was the culprit. A sustained high-pressure ridge sitting over the northern Atlantic ocean assisted in allowing frigid polar air to seep into the region.An omega block in the north Atlantic allowed cold air to penetrate into parts of Europe this week.Tropical Tidbits and European Center for Medium Range Weather ForecastingWill The U.S. See Snow This Week?Parts of the U.S. have already seen snow this week. A shortwave trough of lower pressure brought snowfall to the mountain regions of the Rockies and up to a half-foot of additional snow could fall in the Colorado Rockies before the system moves into the Central Plains. Later this week, high pressure over the Plains could cause upsloping winds from the east. "This is a classic setup for mountain snow (andvalley/Plains rainfall) in a region that could sorely use any precipitation of note," wrote NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center discussion. The Colorado Front Range and the Rockies could see over 8 inches of snow Thursday into Friday. Some of the talle...