Denver, Colorado – Winter shows little sign of loosening its grip across the Rockies, as Groundhog Day tradition and long-range climate signals both point to a delayed transition toward spring. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning, a familiar signal of six more weeks of winter that pushes expectations for a widespread warm-up closer to mid-March.
According to the National Weather Service, much of the Rocky Mountain region falls into an “equal chances” category for temperatures from February through April. That outlook keeps late-season cold snaps, heavy mountain snow, and sharp temperature swings firmly in play. Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and northern New Mexico remain vulnerable to repeated snowstorms, especially at higher elevations, while Front Range and valley communities could see frequent back-and-forth shifts between snow, rain, and brief thaws.
Precipitation is expected to be a major driver of impacts. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, much of the Rockies is favored for near to above-normal precipitation through early spring. That supports continued mountain snowpack but also raises concerns for hazardous travel along I-70, I-80, I-90, and key mountain passes such as Vail Pass, Donner Summit approaches, and Teton Pass. Strong winds and blowing snow remain a recurring risk during passing systems.
The Farmers’ Almanac notes that spring officially begins Friday, March 20, and highlights a total lunar eclipse beginning early Tuesday, March 3, visible across much of the western and central U.S. Even with those milestones approaching, winter impacts may persist beyond them. Residents across the Rockies are encouraged to remain winter-ready, monitor DOT travel alerts, and plan for snow and cold to remain part of daily life well into early spring.
