Colorado Drought Update: Week of May 27, 2026
For the third straight week, Colorado's drought metrics improved at the margins — but 100% of the state remains in drought, and the long-game recovery depends on a winter story still months away.
Latest
Fire Weather, Flash Floods, and a Drought That Isn't Done
An active storm pattern brings flash flood and severe weather threats this week — but the bigger story is what follows: a dry, fire-prone summer and a water crisis still deepening.
May Storm Brings Freeze Risk and Fire Danger
A late-season punch of snow, freezing temperatures, and extreme fire danger arrives this week — but the pattern potentially turns warm and dry again by month's end.
Fire Weather Today, Pattern Shift This Weekend — But the Drought Runs Deeper
Red flag conditions are burning across Colorado today, but a cooler, wetter pattern arrives this weekend. The bigger story is what neither can fix.
Seasonal Forecast Maps — May 2026 | Weather Insider
Welcome to the May 2026 seasonal forecast map pack — your Weather Insider benefit.
Colorado's Summer Outlook: Warm Signal, But El Niño Is Entering the Picture
El Niño is developing rapidly. Here's what that means for Colorado's summer temperature and precipitation outlook — and why even a good monsoon won't solve the water supply problem we're already in.
Fire Weather Risk Peaks This Week — And the Drought Isn't Done
A heat surge and critical fire weather conditions arrive Monday across Colorado — but the bigger story is what comes after: a pattern shift, a developing El Niño, and a water crisis that runs all summer.
Late Spring Storm Brings Rare Snow Relief — But Drought Isn't Done
Heavy snow is falling across Colorado today, but the bigger story is what comes after: a warm, dry pattern reasserts itself just as drought enters its most critical stretch.
Late-Season Snow and Freeze Arrive — But Drought Runs Deeper
A late-April storm brings mountain snow and plains freeze risk this week — meaningful, but not nearly enough to dent Colorado's record drought heading into summer.
An Active Stretch Is Here — But the Bigger Question Is What Comes After
A welcome pattern shift is underway across Colorado, bringing cooler temperatures, mountain snow, and a late-week precipitation system with real potential for drought-stressed parts of Colorado.
Forecast Validated: Colorado's Fire Season Arrived Early — and the Pattern Isn't Done
Following the weekend system, forecast data indicates a return to above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation across most of Colorado through late April and into May.
Seasonal Forecast Maps — April 2026 | Weather Insider
Welcome to the April 2026 seasonal forecast map pack — your Weather Insider benefit.
Agriculture
Fire Weather Crisis Now — Dry May Taking Shape
The more important story is what comes after: a brief cooldown followed by a return to below-normal precipitation that keeps drought pressure building through May.
Forecast
Red Flag Warning Wednesday: Critical Fire Weather Across Colorado
Wind gusts of 30–60 mph and humidity in the single digits Wednesday — one of the more dangerous fire weather setups Colorado has seen this season.
Agriculture
Colorado Weather Outlook: April 21–27 — Dangerous Fire Conditions Wednesday, Cooler Pattern Returns by Weekend
A warm, dry stretch mid-week gives way to one of the more serious fire weather setups of the season Wednesday, before a significant pattern change brings cooler, unsettled conditions through the weekend.
City
Storm Update: Snow Falling Across Colorado, Hard Freeze Warning Issued for Tonight
The cold front moved through overnight — Denver saw frontal passage between 1 and 2 AM, with temperatures dropping roughly 30 degrees in about two hours behind it.
Agriculture
Fire Weather, a Hard Freeze, and 80s — Colorado's Most Active Week of April
Colorado is about to run through every season in 72 hours. Critical fire weather is ongoing today, a cold front and mountain snow arrive tonight through Friday, a hard freeze follows Friday night, and by Tuesday plains temperatures are back in the lower 80s.
Agriculture
Fire Weather Watch Thursday, Hard Freeze Friday Night — What Colorado's Next Storm Means for You
Spring's rollercoaster is back. After a drier Wednesday, Colorado faces two back-to-back hazards before the weekend: critical fire weather on Thursday, followed by a hard freeze on Friday night into Saturday. Here's the full breakdown.
Agriculture
Storm Moves Through Tuesday — Snow, Rain, Fire Warnings, and a Freeze Watch All at Once
An upper-level low is pushing across Colorado today, and it's bringing an unusual mix of conditions depending on where you are in the state.
Agriculture
Critical Fire Weather Continues Monday — Relief Arrives Tuesday
Red Flag Warnings are in effect again today across southern Colorado and the SE plains as the second consecutive day of critical fire weather conditions unfolds.
Forecast
Colorado Weather Outlook — April 12, 2026
Fire weather headlines this weekend across southern Colorado and the eastern plains, with a much-needed system arriving Tuesday before another potential snow event closes out the week.
Long-Range
Spring and Summer Outdoor Outlook 2026 — Colorado
A warm spring means early high-country access, but rapid snowmelt and fire weather concerns will shape the outdoor season. Here's what to expect through summer.
Recreation
Colorado Ski Season 2025–26: A Tale of Two Ranges
The 2025–26 ski season will be remembered for a historic snowfall deficit across most of Colorado's mountains — but Wolf Creek and the southwestern ranges told a very different story.
Agriculture
Colorado Irrigation Water Supply Outlook — A Difficult 2026
A historically poor mountain snowpack, combined with above-normal spring temperatures, points to an early, rapid runoff season and tighter water supplies for Colorado irrigators.