COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The morning air feels raw and still across the Front Range, a thin chill settling into the valleys before dawn. It’s the kind of calm that hints at change — and by Thursday, Colorado’s plains and mountain foothills may wake to their first widespread fall freeze of the season.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, subfreezing temperatures are expected across the southern and eastern plains tonight into early Thursday, potentially damaging sensitive vegetation and unprotected plumbing. Residents in El Paso, Pueblo, and Baca counties should prepare now — drain outdoor lines, cover garden plants, and bring pets inside as temperatures tumble toward the low 30s.
Before the freeze arrives, skies stay mostly sunny Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs near 68°F and light south winds. The transition begins Thursday afternoon as a weak system drifts along I-25, sparking scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms from Colorado Springs to Trinidad. Though rainfall totals should remain light, gusty winds up to 25 mph could briefly impact high-profile vehicles on the interstate. Cloud-to-ground lightning will be the main concern.
By Friday, skies clear but the air stays brisk — highs in the lower 60s with morning lows near freezing. The pattern looks stable into the weekend, with bright, cool days and crisp mornings ideal for outdoor cleanup or early Halloween decorating. Still, long-range models hint at another cold push early next week, possibly reinforcing this first freeze pattern into late October.
Five-Day Forecast for Colorado Springs, CO:
Tue: 68/39 – Sunny, light south wind; mild afternoon.
Wed: 68/39 – Mostly sunny; calm early, clouds increase late.
Thu: 64/41 – Slight storms late; cooler air follows.
Fri: 62/37 – Mostly clear; first freeze risk at dawn.
Sat: 70/40 – Sunny and cool; pleasant late-fall feel.
