Honestly, if you’re looking at your snow shovel right now and wondering if it’s basically become a decorative porch ornament, you aren’t alone. Denver’s winter has been weird. Not just "Colorado weather is moody" weird, but statistically bizarre. While the rest of the country seems to be getting slammed by Arctic air, the snow forecast Denver Colorado is currently telling a story of brown grass and record-breaking dry spells.
As of mid-January 2026, the Mile High City is staring down some pretty bleak numbers. We should have seen over 20 inches of snow by now at Denver International Airport. Instead? We’ve barely scratched 8 inches for the entire season. It’s dry. It's warm. It’s kinda depressing if you’re a skier or just someone who enjoys a good snow day from the comfort of a heated living room.
The Reality of the Current Snow Forecast Denver Colorado
Right now, the immediate outlook is looking more like a mild spring day than the dead of winter. Highs are hovering in the 50s and 60s. We just came off a weak system on January 8th and 9th that promised a lot but under-delivered for the metro area, leaving us with a measly inch or so while places like Colorado Springs actually got a decent 11-inch dump.
If you’re waiting for the "big one," you’re going to be waiting a bit longer. The National Weather Service and local forecasters like Joel Gratz over at OpenSnow are pointing toward a very quiet window through at least January 20th. There's a tiny, almost laughable 10% chance of a dusting toward the end of this week, but it’s nothing that’s going to require more than a light sweep of the broom.
Why is the snow missing?
Basically, we are stuck in a weather sandwich. A massive ridge of high pressure is sitting over the West Coast, and a deep trough is hanging out over the East. Colorado is trapped in the middle, in what meteorologists call a "northwest flow." This usually means we get the wind and the cooler air from Canada, but all the actual moisture gets squeezed out over the mountains before it ever hits the Front Range.
- Snowpack is at an all-time low: Statewide, we are sitting at about 63% of the median.
- Drought is creeping back: About 46% of the state is officially in a drought stage.
- Temperatures are spiked: December 2025 was the second warmest on record for Denver.
It's a tough pill to swallow for the ski industry. Resorts are surviving on man-made snow, and while the high country got a little love earlier this month—Ouray saw 18 inches—the "meaningful" snow everyone keeps talking about isn't expected until at least the January 22–24 window.
What the 2026 La Niña Means for You
We are technically in a La Niña year, which usually favors the northern mountains (think Steamboat) while leaving the southern part of the state dry. But this year, the pattern is acting erratic. The transition toward "ENSO-neutral" conditions is expected between now and March, which creates a lot of uncertainty.
Historically, La Niña years in Denver are a coin toss. Sometimes we get these massive "upslope" storms where the wind hits the foothills and just dumps feet of snow in a single afternoon. Other times, like this year, the storm track stays too far north, and we just get the wind.
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The Mid-Winter Slump
It’s common to see a "January Thaw," but this is more like a January Bake. The Old Farmer’s Almanac—which, love it or hate it, people still check—predicted a "mild and moist" winter. They were half right. It’s definitely mild. But that moisture is nowhere to be found on the I-25 corridor yet. They are still betting on a snowy late January and a very active March. In Colorado, March is historically our snowiest month anyway, so there’s still time for the stats to balance out.
Is There Any Relief in the Forecast?
If you’re planning a trip or just trying to time your errands around the next storm, keep your eyes on the period between January 22nd and January 24th. This is the first time in weeks that the long-range models are showing a real "open door" for Pacific moisture to actually reach the Front Range.
We aren't talking about a blizzard yet. It looks more like a series of smaller, colder waves. These are the types of storms that don't look impressive on a map but can make the Friday evening commute a total nightmare because the ground is finally cold enough for the snow to stick instantly.
Important Dates to Watch:
- January 16: A weak front moves through. Don't expect much more than a few flakes and a temperature drop into the 40s.
- January 22-24: This is the big "maybe." Models suggest a shift in the jet stream that could finally bring some shovel-able snow to Denver.
- Late February: Both the Almanac and NWS long-term trends suggest a much colder, more traditional winter pattern will take hold here.
How to Handle This "Brown Winter"
If you’re a gardener, the lack of snow is actually a bit of a crisis. Without that "insulation" from the snow, the roots of your perennials and your trees are drying out in this 60-degree weather.
Honestly, you should probably go out and water your trees. It sounds crazy to use a garden hose in January, but with the snow forecast Denver Colorado looking this dry, your landscape needs it. If the ground isn't frozen, give your evergreens a drink.
For those heading to the mountains, check the traction laws. Even if it’s sunny in Denver, the "Coded" traction laws (Passenger Vehicle Traction Law and CMV Chain Law) are often in effect on I-70. Just because it hasn't snowed in three days doesn't mean the shaded spots on Vail Pass aren't solid ice.
Actionable Steps for the Next 10 Days
Don't let the 60-degree days fool you into thinking winter is over. Colorado winters are notorious for "back-loading," meaning we get most of our misery in February and March.
- Water your lawn and trees: If we don't get at least an inch of moisture soon, the "winter kill" on local landscapes will be severe.
- Service your snowblower now: Everyone waits until the 18-inch March blizzard to try and start their equipment. Do it today while it’s 55 degrees out and you can work in a t-shirt.
- Watch the January 23rd window: This is the first high-probability window for a pattern change.
- Check your tires: Dry winters lead to a false sense of security. When that first real ice storm hits later this month, you don't want to be the person sliding sideways on Colorado Blvd because your treads are bald.
Winter in Denver is a marathon, not a sprint. We might be at a record-low snowpack right now, but a single "cutoff low" storm in March can drop 30 inches and erase the entire deficit in 48 hours. Stay prepared, keep your ice melt handy, and maybe keep those pajamas inside out just in case it helps.