Honestly, looking at the extended forecast Colorado Springs right now is a bit like reading a Choose Your Own Adventure novel where half the pages are missing. We’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the weather is acting... weird. If you’ve stepped outside today, January 16, you probably noticed the clouds. It’s mostly cloudy with a high struggling to reach 37°F and a low that’s going to bottom out around 14°F tonight.
That’s typical for us, right? Well, not exactly.
We’re in this strange transition zone. For months, the talk has been all about La Niña. But that "weak" La Niña is currently packing its bags. Forecasters at the National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center are watching it shift toward "ENSO-neutral" status as we head into February and March. What does that actually mean for your weekend plans or your heating bill? It means unpredictability is the only thing you can count on.
The Extended Forecast Colorado Springs and the Missing Snow
If you’re waiting for a massive powder day to hit the local trails, you might be waiting a while. The outlook for the rest of January is looking pretty dry. Historically, January is one of our driest months anyway, averaging only about 0.29 inches of precipitation. But this year, the "High Plains" long-range data suggests we might not even hit that meager mark.
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Through January 20, expect isolated rain or snow showers, but nothing that’s going to require a heavy-duty shovel. The temperatures are staying "quite warm" for this time of year—think 32°F as an average, which is actually several degrees above our normal baseline.
Then, the floor drops out.
The last week of January (the 21st through the 31st) looks like it’ll bring the real chill. We’re talking "bitter cold" potential as we roll into early February. This is that classic Colorado "false spring" followed by a slap in the face from the Arctic.
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Why the Models Are Arguing
Meteorologists are basically in a group chat right now trying to figure out why the models aren't agreeing. On one hand, you have the CFS version 2 model leaning toward cooler-than-normal temperatures. On the other hand, almost every other tool says we’re going to stay warmer than average.
Why the split?
- The MJO Factor: The Madden-Julian Oscillation (a big wave of tropical moisture and air) is re-emerging.
- Drought Persistence: We’ve had a "snow-free ground cover" problem in the foothills, which actually helps keep temperatures higher because there's no white snow to reflect the sun's energy back into space.
- The Jet Stream: It’s wobbling.
What February Has in Store
If you can survive the cold snap at the end of this month, February 2026 is looking like a rollercoaster. The first five days of February are forecasted to be "bitter cold" with a few snow showers. But then? A massive warm-up. From February 6 to February 20, the extended forecast for Colorado Springs suggests "very warm" conditions and sunny skies.
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It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to wash your car, which is exactly when the late-month storm will hit. The data points toward a significant snowstorm for the southern part of the state, including El Paso County, around February 24-28.
The Reality of Our "New" Winter
Let’s be real: the way we look at the extended forecast Colorado Springs has changed. We’ve seen a trend over the last 15 years where a vast majority of our winter months end up in the "warmest third" of recorded history. Since 1991, La Niña winters have actually become wetter on average, but they are incredibly inconsistent.
Last December, we saw downslope winds hitting over 100 mph. That kind of volatility is the new normal. We’re trading consistent, manageable snow for long periods of dry warmth interrupted by violent, short-lived storms.
Survival Tips for the 2026 Seesaw
- Don't winterize the sprinklers just yet? Just kidding, keep them off, but you must water your trees. With the forecasted 0.2" of precipitation for January, your evergreens are starving.
- Layer like a pro. If the high is 37°F today but the sun comes out, it’ll feel like 50°F. If the wind kicks up at 4.6 mph from the North (like it is now), that 37°F feels like a freezer.
- Watch the late February window. If you’re planning a trip into the mountains or even just a commute to Denver, the February 24-28 window is the one with the biggest "red flag" for travel disruptions.
Basically, keep your coat in the car and your expectations low for a White January. We are in a holding pattern, waiting for the atmosphere to decide if it wants to be a lion or a lamb.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your tire pressure this week; these 20-degree temperature swings between day and night are notorious for triggering "low pressure" sensors. Also, if you have outdoor young trees, give them a deep soak on a day when the temp hits above 40°F to prevent root desiccation during this dry stretch.