Denver, CO — Colorado is on track for a remarkably mild finish to 2025 and an unusually warm start to 2026, with forecast guidance pointing to near-record temperatures during the period from December 27 through January 2. As of Saturday, December 20, long-range outlooks suggest winter cold may remain largely locked out of the central Rockies through the New Year.
The latest projections from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center place Colorado firmly within an area favored for above-normal temperatures, driven by a dominant ridge of high pressure over the central and western United States. This pattern is expected to suppress Arctic intrusions while allowing downslope flow to boost daytime temperatures along the Front Range.
In Denver, where average highs in late December typically sit in the mid-40s, temperatures could rise into the 50s and even low 60s on multiple days heading into New Year’s. Under sunny conditions, daily records may be approached or broken, especially when westerly winds enhance compressional warming east of the Rockies. Overnight lows are also expected to trend warmer than average, reducing snowpack longevity in urban areas.
Mountain locations will see milder-than-normal conditions as well, though colder air will still linger at higher elevations. Snowfall opportunities appear limited overall, particularly east of the Continental Divide, which may impact winter recreation and water supply concerns heading deeper into the season.
Looking beyond New Year’s Day, the warmth may persist. The January 3–16, 2026 outlook continues to favor above-normal temperatures across much of Colorado, suggesting the state could see an extended stretch of mild winter weather before any significant pattern shift occurs.
All signs point to Colorado starting 2026 on an unseasonably warm note, aligning with a broader national trend toward late-December and early-January warmth across much of the country.
