For a state whose water supply, agriculture, rivers, and ski industry hinge on mountain snow, the early months of the 2025–26 snow season have been deeply concerning. From the Front Range to the high country, Colorado’s snowpack is lagging badly — and the available data paints a stark picture.
A Snow Season That Barely Showed Up
Typically, fall and early winter help build the foundation for Colorado’s snowpack. Not this year.
- September & October 2025: Denver recorded zero snow both months — a dry pattern that set the stage for the poor winter ahead.
- November 2025: The month delivered just 0.2 inches of snow, compared with a typical 7.3 inches.
- December 2025: Denver finally saw some snow — about 6.6 inches total — but unusual warmth meant snowmelt offset much of what did fall.
That slow start severely limited early-season accumulation in the mountains, where seasonal snowpack usually begins building by October and picks up more rapidly in November and December.
The Snowpack Numbers Don’t Lie: Well Below Median
Snowpack is measured in terms of snow water equivalent (SWE) — the amount of water stored in the snowpack compared to historical norms. Right now, Colorado’s statewide SWE is far below normal for this time of year:
- As of early January 2026, statewide snowpack was about 56% of median for the date — meaning Colorado had barely half the snow water that is usually present by January 1st.
- In practical terms, SWE across basins ranges from roughly 47% (Arkansas Basin) up to about 72% (northern basins) — with much of the state far below normal.
- As the season began (December), statewide SWE was reported near 54% of median, tied for the lowest on record for that date since snowpack records began in the 1980s.
These numbers mean that not only is there less snow than usual, but it also ranks among the worst starts to a snow season in decades — not just “below average.”
Why This So Severely Impacts Water Resources
Colorado’s snowpack acts as a natural reservoir. The Rockies store water in the form of snow during winter, releasing it slowly as meltwater through spring and summer — feeding rivers, reservoirs, and farms. When the snowpack is weak:
- Spring runoff is reduced and earlier, stressing reservoirs and rivers.
- Water delivery for agriculture and cities becomes more challenging.
- Fire risks can grow as dry soils and vegetation aren’t recharged by snowmelt.
- Ski areas and winter tourism take an economic hit.
Even if strong storms arrive later in winter, overcoming such a deep deficit — barely half the expected SWE — will require consistent snow and cold temperatures over the next two months.
What Needs to Happen Next
Colorado still has time to recover — historically, big storms in late January, February, or March can help make up deficits — but the current numbers are sobering. With only about half the median snow water content in place, water managers and residents alike are watching forecasts closely.
In short: Colorado’s snow season didn’t just get off to a slow start — it’s been one of the weakest in the modern record, with statewide SWE sitting far below what’s needed to sustain typical water supplies.