Honestly, if you've spent more than five minutes in Denver during January, you know the drill. One second you're wearing shorts on a 50-degree Sunday, and the next, you're digging your car out of a snowbank. It’s wild. Right now, as of January 17, 2026, we are sitting in a weirdly dry stretch that has everyone from skiers to city planners checking their weather apps every ten minutes.
People think Denver is a frozen tundra all winter. Nope. Not even close. This weekend is a perfect example: Saturday is hitting a high of 36°F with pure sunshine, but by tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, we’re looking at a jump to 50°F. That’s a 14-degree swing in 24 hours. Just Denver things, I guess.
The Big Snow Question: Is it Actually Coming?
There is a lot of chatter about a "foot of snow" hitting the metro area next week. You might have seen the headlines. Some reports from the Denver Post and local meteorologists like Shawn Patrick are eyeing next Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23, for a potentially massive system. We’re talking a range from 1 to 13 inches depending on where you stand in the metro.
But here’s the thing: the National Weather Service is being way more cautious. Their current "high-end" scenario is only about an inch for most of us. Why the gap? Basically, the moisture incursions from the Pacific are fighting a losing battle against a dry subsident flow.
The state snowpack is currently at 62% of the historical average. That is record-low territory. If you’re planning a ski trip to Winter Park or Loveland in the next 14 days, keep your expectations in check—most resorts are only expecting about an inch of fresh powder over the next five days.
Denver Weather 2 Weeks: The Day-by-Day Reality
If you’re trying to plan your life, here’s the gist of what the next two weeks look like according to the latest ensembles. It's a rollercoaster of "I need a parka" and "Where are my sunglasses?"
Monday, January 19, brings us back down to a high of 39°F. There's about a 40% chance of snow during the day, so the commute might be a bit slick. Tuesday bounces right back to 51°F. It’s that constant thawing and freezing that turns our side streets into ice rinks.
The middle of next week stays mostly in the 40s and 50s.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: High 41°F, mostly sunny.
- Thursday, Jan 22: High 51°F, but clouds start rolling in.
- Friday, Jan 23: High 49°F, sunny but getting colder at night.
Saturday, January 24, might see some light snow with a high of 46°F, but the real chill hits that night when the temperature drops to 19°F.
Looking further out into the last week of January (Jan 25–31), the "Almanac" and Climate Prediction Center are leaning toward a "colder than normal" period. We’re looking at highs staying mostly in the high 30s to mid 40s. January 26 and 27 look partly sunny with highs around 39°F and 47°F, respectively. It's not "polar vortex" cold, but it’s definitely "layer up" weather.
Why Does It Feel So Dry?
We are currently in a La Niña setup. Usually, that means the Pacific Northwest gets hammered with rain and snow while we in the Southwest (and Denver) get the dry, warm leftovers. It’s why we’ve seen so many Red Flag Warnings and fire danger alerts lately.
On Saturday, January 17, the humidity is expected to drop to between 12% and 18%. That is bone-dry. When you combine that with 45 mph wind gusts on the plains, you get dangerous fire conditions even in the middle of winter. It’s kind of scary, honestly.
Actionable Advice for the Next 14 Days
Don't get fooled by the 50-degree days. They are "fool's spring" traps.
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- Hydrate your skin and your house. With humidity hitting 12%, your nose and skin will feel it. Get the humidifier running now.
- Watch the Thursday/Friday window. If that "foot of snow" model actually wins out, Friday morning (Jan 23) will be a disaster on I-25. Have a backup plan for work.
- Check your tires. The 51-degree Tuesday followed by a 22-degree night means black ice is almost a guarantee on shaded spots and bridges.
- Wind prep. If you have loose patio furniture or lightweight holiday decor still out, Saturday's 45 mph gusts will move them for you if you don't.
Denver weather is a game of patience and layers. The next two weeks won't change that.