Colorado Braces for More Snow and Cold as Winter Storm Hits

The third storm of the week brings accumulation to the mountains and Denver metro area.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A powerful winter storm is blasting through Colorado on Friday, bringing much colder temperatures and significant snowfall to the mountains as well as light accumulations in the Denver metro area. This is the third storm to hit the state this week, with some mountain areas already seeing over 2 feet of new snow from previous systems.

Why it matters

The heavy snow and cold temperatures pose risks for travel and outdoor activities, with avalanche danger rated high in many mountain areas. However, the additional snowfall is welcome news for Colorado's ski resorts and water supply, which have been impacted by drought conditions in recent years.

The details

The storm is bringing a surge of cold air from the north, keeping high temperatures in the Denver area in the low to mid 30s Fahrenheit. While the metro area will only see light snowfall, generally an inch or less, the mountains are expected to get hit much harder. Some areas in the southwest Colorado mountains could see up to an additional foot of snow on top of the 6 inches to over 2 feet that has already fallen this week. Ski areas like Wolf Creek, Purgatory, Silverton, Crested Butte, Beaver Creek, and Vail have all reported significant snowfall totals so far this week.

  • The winter storm is expected to impact Colorado on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect for many western mountain areas through Friday night.

The players

Denver Metro Area

The Denver metropolitan region, which is expected to see light snow accumulations of an inch or less from the storm.

Colorado Mountains

The mountainous regions of Colorado, which are forecast to receive heavy snowfall, with some areas potentially seeing up to an additional foot on top of the significant accumulations from earlier this week.

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What’s next

Avalanche danger remains high in many mountain areas, and officials are urging caution for those planning outdoor activities or travel in the affected regions.

The takeaway

This latest winter storm underscores the ongoing challenges Colorado faces with extreme weather and the importance of preparedness, especially for the state's vital ski industry and water resources, which have been strained by drought conditions in recent years.