Weather
Southern Colorado Freeze Warning: Lows Near 28 Oct 16-17
Colorado Springs, CO – Freezing temperatures could settle across portions of southern Colorado early Friday and Saturday, threatening sensitive plants, outdoor plumbing and late season vegetation befo
By Dylan Reeves · 2026-10-15T09:17:20.086Z
Colorado Springs, CO – Freezing temperatures could settle across portions of southern Colorado early Friday and Saturday, threatening sensitive plants, outdoor plumbing and late season vegetation before a sharp weekend warmup. The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for parts of El Paso and Kiowa counties from midnight Thursday night through 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, followed by a Freeze Watch for early Saturday. Temperatures in the affected warning area could fall into the upper 20s to lower 30s, with the coldest conditions expected Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, subfreezing temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees are expected across the Freeze Warning area early Friday. The warning includes northern El Paso County below 7,500 feet and eastern Kiowa County, including communities such as Black Forest, Colorado Springs and Eads. A Freeze Watch covers the same designated areas from midnight Friday night through 9 a.m. Saturday, when temperatures could again drop into the upper 20s and lower 30s.
Freeze Warning Brings Early Morning Cold The approaching cold follows a breezy Thursday across the Colorado Springs area, where temperatures are expected to reach approximately 50 degrees. Northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph will increase to 20 to 25 mph during the afternoon, with gusts reaching 40 mph. A slight chance of showers is expected between noon and 1 p.m., although the precipitation probability remains only 20%.
As winds ease Thursday night, temperatures will fall toward 31 degrees in the local Colorado Springs forecast area. Mostly clear skies could allow additional cooling, particularly in sheltered locations and neighborhoods outside the urban core. The National Weather Service warns that frost and freezing conditions may kill crops, damage sensitive vegetation and affect unprotected outdoor plumbing.
The coldest conditions could develop Friday night into Saturday morning. Although the Colorado Springs point forecast indicates a low near 33 degrees, surrounding locations covered by the Freeze Watch could experience temperatures in the upper 20s. Residents should recognize that neighborhood temperatures can vary considerably depending on elevation, terrain and exposure.
Plants, Outdoor Pipes and Travel Could Be Affected Homeowners and gardeners should take precautions before Thursday evening, particularly if they have tender plants, late season gardens or exposed outdoor plumbing. The National Weather Service recommends protecting sensitive vegetation and wrapping, draining or allowing exposed pipes to drip slowly to reduce the possibility of freezing.
Drivers traveling along Interstate 25 through Colorado Springs, U.S. Highway 24 or other roads across El Paso County should also prepare for chilly early morning conditions. The supplied forecast does not indicate a widespread freezing precipitation event or significant snowfall across the city, and no road closures have been reported in the provided information.
Elsewhere across southern Colorado, the hazardous weather outlook notes lingering snow showers across portions of the central mountains Thursday morning, with additional light accumulations possible before conditions improve. Those mountain conditions are separate from the lower elevation freeze threat affecting the Colorado Springs area.
Weekend Warmup Follows the Freeze Threat Temperatures will recover Friday afternoon, with sunshine pushing highs near 59 degrees in Colorado Springs. However, the improvement will be temporary as another cold night follows, bringing the potential for additional freezing temperatures early Saturday.
By Saturday afternoon, a substantial warmup is expected, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching approximately 70 degrees. Sunday will be warmer still, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 72 degrees. That represents a significant change from the freezing conditions expected during the preceding mornings.
The warming trend continues into early next week, with temperatures reaching approximately 69 degrees Monday and 74 degrees Tuesday. No additional freeze threat is identified in the supplied local forecast after Saturday morning.
Are you covering plants or protecting outdoor plumbing ahead of the freezing temperatures expected across southern Colorado?
Five Day Weather Outlook Thursday 10/15: Mostly sunny and breezy conditions will bring a high near 50 degrees, with northwest winds gusting to 40 mph and a 20% chance of brief afternoon showers, followed by mostly clear skies and temperatures falling near 31 degrees.
Friday 10/16: A Freeze Warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. for designated portions of El Paso and Kiowa counties, with regional lows potentially reaching 28 degrees before sunshine warms Colorado Springs to approximately 59 degrees, followed by a nighttime low near 33 degrees.
Saturday 10/17: A Freeze Watch remains in effect until 9 a.m. for designated areas, with temperatures potentially reaching the upper 20s early before sunshine produces a substantial warmup to around 70 degrees, followed by mostly clear skies and a nighttime low near 42 degrees.
Sunday 10/18: Mostly sunny skies and a high near 72 degrees will bring noticeably warmer conditions across Colorado Springs, with west northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast during the afternoon, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low around 42 degrees.
Monday 10/19: Sunny skies and a high near 69 degrees will continue the relatively mild weather, with light winds becoming south southeast at 5 to 10 mph during the afternoon, followed by mostly clear skies and a nighttime low near 43 degrees.
Extended Outlook: Oct. 20 21 Tuesday, Oct. 20, is expected to bring sunny skies and a high near 74 degrees, with light winds becoming southerly at 5 to 10 mph during the afternoon. Tuesday night will remain mostly clear, with temperatures falling to approximately 47 degrees.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, will continue the sunny pattern, with temperatures reaching approximately 72 degrees. West northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph are expected to become southerly during the afternoon.