The Rocky Mountains are emerging as an unexpected hotspot heading into 2026, with Colorado and Utah forecast to experience an unusually warm stretch in the days following Christmas. Outlooks for the Dec. 27–Jan. 2 period show temperatures running well above normal across much of the interior West, raising the possibility of near-record late-December warmth, particularly along the Front Range and Wasatch Front.
In Denver, where average highs typically sit in the low to mid-40s this time of year, forecast trends suggest daytime temperatures could climb into the upper 50s or even low 60s during the final days of 2025. Similar anomalies are possible in northern Utah, including the Salt Lake City metro area, as a strong ridge of high pressure builds over the western and central U.S.
This pattern favors downslope warming east of the Rockies, reduced snowpack at lower elevations, and limited cold air intrusions—conditions more reminiscent of early spring than mid-winter. Overnight lows are also expected to remain mild, further reinforcing the lack of sustained cold.
Looking ahead to Jan. 3–16, 2026, longer-range outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures across much of the Rockies, though with slightly more variability as weak systems brush the region. Even so, the broader signal suggests winter cold may struggle to gain a foothold early in the new year.
While mountain snowstorms are still possible at higher elevations, lower valleys and urban corridors could see extended dry and mild conditions. This warmth has implications for snowpack development, water resources, winter recreation, and wildfire risk later in the season.
As the nation watches widespread warmth unfold, the Rockies stand out as a key interior driver of this late-December heat pattern, underscoring just how unusual the transition into 2026 may feel across the western U.S.
