Denver, Colorado – Winter is not ready to step aside across Colorado, as Groundhog Day tradition and long-range climate signals both suggest a slow transition toward spring. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning, signaling six more weeks of winter and pushing expectations for a dependable statewide warm-up closer to mid-March.
According to the National Weather Service, Colorado falls into an “equal chances” category for temperatures from February through April. That outlook leaves room for continued cold snaps, late-season snowstorms, and sharp temperature swings, especially along the Front Range and across the high country. Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs could see repeated rounds of snow followed by brief warmups, while mountain communities remain vulnerable to prolonged winter conditions well into March.
Precipitation trends point to ongoing variability rather than relief. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, much of the central Rockies, including Colorado, is expected to see near-normal seasonal precipitation through early spring. That still supports additional snowpack-building storms in the mountains, along with periods of snow or rain along I-70, I-25, and I-76 that can quickly impact travel.
While the Farmers’ Almanac notes spring officially begins Friday, March 20, and highlights a total lunar eclipse early Tuesday, March 3, winter impacts may extend beyond those calendar milestones. Coloradans are encouraged to remain winter-ready, monitor CDOT travel alerts, and plan for rapidly changing conditions, as snow and cold remain possible well into early spring.
