Denver, CO – The Rockies are forecasting colder-than-normal temperatures for the holiday week across Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as early-season winter air settles firmly across the region.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, the 8–14 day temperature outlook for November 22–28, 2025 places much of the Rocky Mountain region in the below-normal temperature zone, with the strongest cold centered over the northern and central Rockies. Residents from Denver to Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Boise, Albuquerque, Cheyenne, and Billings can expect a cold Thanksgiving with highs running several degrees below late-November averages.
This cold pattern is supported by the ongoing La Niña, which is funneling repeated shots of colder Pacific and Canadian air into the West while the East remains warmer than normal through the holiday.
Higher elevations—including the Wasatch, San Juans, Tetons and central Rockies—are favored for additional early-season snowfall, with widespread freezing conditions expected in mountain valleys.
The cold pattern not only persists but intensifies heading into next month. The week 3–4 outlook (November 29–December 12) shows reinforcing colder-than-normal air spilling into much of the Rockies, particularly Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, signaling a winter-like start to December.
Early December Temperature Highlights by State
- Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs): Strong below-normal temps; elevated snow chances in mountains.
- Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson): Cooler than normal for early December; desert nights trend unusually chilly.
- Utah (Salt Lake City, Provo): Colder-than-normal pattern with increasing valley inversions.
- New Mexico (Albuquerque, Santa Fe): Lean toward below-normal temps; high-altitude snow favored.
- Wyoming (Cheyenne, Casper): Strongest cold signal; winter pattern intensifies early December.
- Montana (Billings, Missoula): Reinforcing Arctic air brings below-normal highs and extended cold.
- Idaho (Boise, Idaho Falls): Colder-than-normal trend continues with frost and mountain snow potential.
Thanksgiving travel across I-70, I-25, I-15, I-80 and mountain passes may require extra caution due to cold air, potential snow and freezing nighttime conditions.
