Colorado Snowpack Plummets Amid Historic Drought

Statewide snowpack levels at just 54% of normal as warm, dry conditions persist

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:50am

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Drought conditions are worsening across Colorado, with the statewide snowpack at just 54% of its normal level for this time of year. Unseasonably warm and dry weather has plagued the state, leaving many watersheds well below their seasonal averages. The Denver metro area has seen significantly less snow than usual so far this winter, with only about half the typical snowfall accumulated by early March.

Why it matters

Colorado's snowpack is a critical water source, feeding the state's rivers and reservoirs. With snowpack levels so low, there are growing concerns about water supply and the potential for worsening drought conditions throughout the state in the coming months.

The details

Meteorologist Jacob Woods noted that even along the Front Range, there hasn't been enough frequent snow to make a dent in the existing drought. Statewide, no watersheds are above 65% of their average snowpack for this time of year. The situation is particularly dire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, where extreme drought conditions have expanded in recent weeks. In the Denver area, the city has seen just 23.9 inches of snow so far this season, well below the typical 40 inches by this point. Last month was the second February on record with no measurable snow in Denver.

  • As of March 20th, Denver has accumulated just over 10 inches of snow in March, which is in the average range.
  • Meteorological winter, from December to February, was the second warmest on record in Denver, with the most 60-degree days in a winter season.
  • April is usually the second snowiest month of the year in Colorado, and could impact final seasonal snowfall totals.

The players

Jacob Woods

A Pinpoint Meteorologist who noted the lack of frequent snow events to address the existing drought conditions.

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What they’re saying

“Even across the Front Range, we've had hardly enough snow in frequent enough events to be talking about trying to chip away at some of the drought that we started the winter with.”

— Jacob Woods, Pinpoint Meteorologist

What’s next

The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to monitor drought conditions and bring the latest updates throughout the year.

The takeaway

Colorado's historic drought has left the state's snowpack at dangerously low levels, raising concerns about water supply and the potential for worsening conditions in the coming months. With April typically the second snowiest month, there is still hope that late-season snowfall could help, but the outlook remains grim as unseasonably warm and dry weather persists.