Denver, August 26, 2026 — A strong episode of El Niño is settling in Colorado, relegating summer precipitation to the background and announcing early snow for the 2026-2027 season, according to the first forecasts released by the Colorado Climate Center.
Peter Goble, an assistant climatologist at Colorado State University, confirmed that El Niño conditions are strengthening daily and could become the most intense on record by next winter. Models indicate a clear shift in Pacific ocean flows.
The summer season was marked by a glaring lack of precipitation. More than 90% of Colorado remains in drought, with 76% classified as severe drought. Water reserves are beginning to fear for the start of the school year.
Will Western Colorado experience a spring awakening? Fall forecasts suggest a turning point. CBS News reports that the entire state is expected to see above-normal precipitation between September and November. An opposite trend compared to previous months.
Denver has an average summer temperature of 29.4°C, 3.2°C above the historical norm. Rivers are beginning to cool, anticipating potentially early avalanches in the Front Range mountains.
Rocky Mountain ski resorts, including Aspen Mountain and Vail, are closely monitoring weather reports. Early snow could allow the slopes to open early, by the end of September according to certain optimistic scenarios.
Local authorities are already considering mitigation measures. Water authorities are preparing contingency plans in the event of rapid snowmelt, fearing spring flooding.
The next seasonal forecast update is expected on September 5, at the Colorado Climate Center's annual conference in Boulder.
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