Colorado’s winter snowpack continues to tell a sobering story as the state reaches another unwelcome milestone in an already challenging season.
As of this week, Colorado’s statewide snowpack sits at just 57% of the seasonal average, marking a 6% decline from last week. Rather than stabilizing, conditions are trending downward across every river basin in the state, signaling growing concern for water supply, agriculture, and recreation as winter progresses.
The hardest hit areas remain in southern Colorado, where several basins have slipped back into the 40th percentile range. The Arkansas River Valley reflects this steady decline. After briefly holding at 50% of average last week, snowpack levels there have fallen to 45%, underscoring how quickly gains can be lost without consistent snowfall.
Despite the overall downward trend, there is a note of cautious optimism on the horizon. An Arctic front is expected to move into Colorado tomorrow, bringing the potential for widespread and meaningful snowfall. This system could provide much-needed short-term relief and help slow the current slide.
However, experts warn that one storm—no matter how strong—will not be enough to change the course of the season. To truly reverse the deficit, Colorado would need multiple storms of similar magnitude in the coming weeks. Until then, snowpack levels remain well below normal, and the state continues to watch the skies, hoping winter still has more to give.
