DENVER, Colo. – NOAA’s Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, points to a snowy and colder season across the Rocky Mountains — a setup primed for deep snowpack, blizzard threats, and a strong chance of a white Christmas in high elevations. The Climate Prediction Center’s maps show above-normal precipitation and below-normal temperatures from Montana south through Colorado and Utah, signaling an active storm track over the central and northern Rockies.
According to NOAA meteorologists, a strengthening La Niña is expected to enhance Pacific storm energy that slams into the Rockies throughout winter. “We’re anticipating multiple major snow events, particularly across the central and northern ranges,” forecasters said. Above-normal snowfall probabilities dominate the Continental Divide, with the San Juans, Wasatch, and Tetons all highlighted for heavy accumulations through February.
December could bring early-season powder for ski resorts from Big Sky to Aspen, with the highest odds for a white Christmas in mountain towns such as Jackson, Steamboat Springs, and Vail. Travelers on I-70 and I-80 should prepare for periodic closures and chain requirements during heavier systems. By January and February 2026, colder Arctic air may spill south through Montana and Wyoming, delivering dangerous wind chills and whiteout conditions during major storms.
As spring approaches, snowmelt and runoff concerns could rise by March, especially in Colorado’s western slopes and central Utah. NOAA urges residents and visitors to monitor avalanche forecasts, winterize vehicles, and plan for intermittent road restrictions as one of the snowiest winters in recent years may unfold.
