How is climate change affecting Colorado's winters?

According to State Climatologist Russ Schumacher, climate change is reshaping what winter looks and feels like across Colorado, with the state experiencing earlier snowpack melt, more rain instead of snow, and overall less variable but still highly unpredictable weather patterns.

What impact is the changing snowpack having on Colorado's water resources?

The snow that falls in Colorado's mountains is critical for the state's water supply, not just for local residents but across the country. As the snowpack melts earlier, it can leave the ground drier heading into summer, increasing the risk of wildfires year-round.

Home / Weather / Colorado's Winters Defy Expectations as Climate Change Reshapes the Season

Colorado's Winters Defy Expectations as Climate Change Reshapes the Season

Q: What does the future hold for Colorado's winters?

According to Schumacher, while the long-term data shows a clear warming trend, Colorado's famously wild weather patterns will continue to surprise residents. The state's winters may become less variable, but they will always find a way to keep people on their toes.

8 Nov

•

Summary

Climate change is altering Colorado's winter weather patterns
Snowpack is melting earlier, impacting water resources
Winters are becoming less variable but still unpredictable

Colorado's Winters Defy Expectations as Climate Change Reshapes the Season

As of November 2025, Colorado's winters are undergoing a significant transformation due to the impacts of climate change. According to State Climatologist Russ Schumacher, the state's winter weather patterns are no longer following a simple trend, and the season itself is shifting in unexpected ways.

While the overall temperature is rising, Schumacher explains that Colorado's winters remain highly variable, with the state still experiencing snowstorms and cold snaps. However, the state's critical snowpack, which serves as a natural water storage system, is now melting earlier, changing the availability of water resources. This earlier melt can leave the ground drier heading into summer, increasing the risk of wildfires year-round.

At lower elevations, the changes are even more pronounced, with more rain instead of snow. Schumacher recalls a storm in Fort Collins a couple of Februaries ago that brought over an inch of liquid precipitation, all in the form of rain – a highly unusual occurrence for that time of year.

Despite these challenges, Schumacher assures that Colorado's famously wild weather patterns will continue to surprise residents. While the long-term data shows a clear warming trend, the state's winters will always find a way to keep people on their toes.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.