Colorado opens the morning under calm skies and surprising warmth, but winter waits just beyond the horizon. Dry pavement, crisp air, and fading clouds create a deceptive calm across southern Colorado as travelers begin post-Christmas trips.
Through Friday, conditions stay favorable. Sunshine dominates Colorado Springs and Pueblo, with highs climbing into the mid and upper 60s. Winds remain light, making travel along I-25 smooth and predictable. Nights cool into the 30s, but freezing issues stay limited for now.
Saturday continues the mild trend. Skies remain mostly sunny, and temperatures still reach near 60 degrees. To be fair, it feels more like early fall than late December. This warmth, however, sets the stage for a quick shift as colder air presses south overnight.
By Saturday night, clouds increase and temperatures fall sharply. A chance of snow showers develops after sunset, first across higher elevations and then into the Colorado Springs and Pueblo areas. Roads may remain mostly dry initially, but colder surfaces could begin icing quickly.
Sunday brings the most noticeable change. Snow showers become more likely, with daytime highs dropping into the low 30s. While accumulations look light, even brief snowfall can reduce visibility and create slick conditions. Drivers should plan extra time, especially through Monument Hill and along elevated stretches of I-25.
Sunday night turns sharply colder. Lows dip into the teens, allowing refreeze of any moisture left on roads and sidewalks. Black ice becomes a concern for early Monday travel.
Monday offers improvement. Sunshine returns, though highs only rebound into the low 40s. Winter firmly settles in, signaling a colder pattern for the final days of December.
Meteorologists continue tracking storm timing closely. Conditions may deteriorate quickly after sunset Sunday. Keep winter gear ready, monitor forecasts, and adjust travel plans as southern Colorado transitions back into winter mode.
