Colorado’s Warm Winter Shock: Snowpack at Historic Lows as Warm Temperatures Plague the State!

Published on December 30, 2025

Colorado, known for its beautiful snow-capped mountains and vibrant winter season, is facing an unusually dry winter this year, with snowpack levels well below average. After weeks of dry stretches and warmer-than-normal temperatures, meteorologists indicate that a brief return to winter weather could occur this week, but it will likely not be enough to provide the significant boost that Colorado’s snowpack desperately needs.

Colorado’s Snowpack Falls Behind Average Levels

Despite some occasional snowfalls, Colorado’s snowpack remains well behind where it would typically be at this time of year. Joel Gratz, the founder and CEO of OpenSnow, described the current snow season as “a low snow year” for the state. According to Gratz, Colorado is seeing near-record low snowpack levels, based on data collected from about 100 automated weather stations across the state. These stations monitor snow levels in various regions, and the numbers are concerning. Gratz stated that Colorado’s snowpack is expected to remain at the bottom of the historical range for the foreseeable future.

The Upper Arkansas Basin: The Driest Area

The Upper Arkansas basin in central Colorado has been hit the hardest, currently sitting at just 47 percent of normal snowpack levels. Meteorologist Maggie Ideker, from the National Weather Service, noted that many of Colorado’s river basins are also hovering near their lowest levels of the past decade. This includes some of the state’s most important watersheds, which are critical to the water supply for local communities and agriculture.

Ideker highlighted that it would take a series of substantial snowstorms to bring the snowpack back to normal levels. “It’s going to take about two to three good snowstorms to get us back to where we should be,” she explained. However, the outlook for the coming week does not suggest any significant improvements.

Snowstorm Expected, But Minimal Impact on Snowpack

While New Year’s Day may see some snow in the mountain regions, meteorologists predict that the snowstormexpected to move through Colorado later this week will have minimal impact. Ideker explained that light snowfall is forecast to start on Thursday morning, but it will likely wind down by Friday evening. The expected accumulations are not significant enough to warrant a winter storm warning or advisory. For most of the week, the state will continue to experience dry conditions and above-normal temperatures.

Ideker noted that the snow expected this week would be “minimal” and unlikely to affect the broader snowpack situation. This means that while Colorado may experience some winter weather, it won’t be enough to make up for the dry stretches and low snowpack seen over the past several weeks.

What’s Behind the Low Snowpack?

The significant lack of snow this winter has raised questions about what might be contributing to the state’s low snowpack. While many have speculated that this could be linked to climate change, meteorologists such as Gratz and Colorado State Climatologist Russ Schumacher are cautious about attributing the current snow conditions solely to climate change.

According to Gratz, the low snowpack is likely due to natural variability rather than a direct result of climate change. He explained that there have been plenty of years in the past where snow levels were low, and just as many years with high snowfalls. The data collected over the past 30 to 50 years, he pointed out, does not suggest that precipitationpatterns in Colorado have drastically changed due to climate shifts. He emphasized that while global warming has contributed to rising temperatures, it has not yet led to a dramatic decrease in snowfall.

Warm Winter Temperatures and Their Implications

However, Russ Schumacher, the Colorado State Climatologist, offered a broader perspective on the issue, acknowledging that while low snowpack levels may be a natural fluctuation, the warm temperatures experienced in December could indicate a climate change signal. Schumacher noted that December 2025 is on track to become the warmest December on record in Colorado, potentially surpassing the previous record set in 1980. This extreme winter warmth, he said, is likely to be more indicative of climate change than the dry conditions alone.

Schumacher explained that while Colorado has historically experienced periods of dry winters, the exceptional warmththis December is a new and growing trend. When temperatures are unusually high in the winter, this could signal broader changes in climate patterns, which are more likely to be driven by climate change than by natural variability.

What’s in Store for Colorado’s Weather?

Looking ahead, the warm temperatures that have plagued the state for much of the winter season are expected to continue in the coming week. Temperatures in the mountains are forecast to remain in the mid-30s to 40s, while areas further east, such as the plains, will see temperatures reaching into the mid-50s to 60s, which is well above the typical range for this time of year.

As a result, Colorado’s snowpack will continue to suffer, and water resources in the state may be impacted if these dry conditions persist. However, the weather is expected to change slightly, with a chance of snow in certain areas by the New Year’s weekend. It’s anticipated that temperatures will remain cooler as the month progresses, with the possibility of snow squalls and more snowstorms later in 2026.

Conclusion: A Winter to Remember for Colorado

While Colorado may receive some snow this week, it will likely not be enough to significantly improve the state’s snowpack situation. The continued warm temperatures and dry conditions point to an ongoing challenge for the state’s water supply, and the unusual warmth in December underscores broader concerns about climate change.

For now, Colorado residents can expect to see minimal snow accumulation over the next week, and travelers should be prepared for conditions that are warmer than usual. While El Niño and La Niña patterns can influence the weather, Colorado’s current conditions are a reminder of the complexity and unpredictability of the state’s weather. As the state moves into 2026, it will remain to be seen how the weather trends evolve, but it is clear that Colorado’s snowpack is a critical issue that requires continued attention.