Denver, Colorado – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 may bring near-normal winter precipitation across Colorado, with equal chances of rain and snow rather than a dominant snowfall signal.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), Colorado is currently placed in an “equal chances” category for February precipitation type. This designation indicates no statistically significant signal favoring either above-normal snowfall or reduced winter precipitation compared to long-term February averages.
Equal chances outlooks reflect uncertainty in storm track placement and temperature variability. For Colorado, this suggests February 2026 could feature a mix of snow-producing systems, lighter events, and occasional rain or mixed precipitation at lower elevations, depending on timing and cold-air depth.
Mountain regions may still see periodic accumulating snow during stronger Pacific or upslope systems, while the Front Range and eastern plains are more sensitive to marginal temperature setups that can shift precipitation type quickly. Western valleys may alternate between snow and rain depending on storm intensity and elevation.
Temperature outlooks for February indicate near-normal conditions across much of the state. This temperature profile supports fluctuating winter conditions rather than prolonged extreme cold, increasing uncertainty in precipitation type from system to system.
Neighboring states including Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, and New Mexico also show neutral precipitation signals, reinforcing uncertainty in how consistently winter patterns will favor snow versus rain across the central Rockies and High Plains.
Commuters, mountain travelers, ski industry operators, and freight carriers across Colorado are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when shorter-range outlooks will better clarify storm timing, snowfall potential, and travel impacts.
