Colorado Snowpack Lags Early—Here’s Why It’s a Big Deal

As December arrives in Western Colorado, eyes watch the skies from Grand Junction to Montrose, and then they turn to the snow stations. Throughout the state, snowpack readings are a concern.

When SNOTEL sites show numbers below normal, it can mean a slow ski season and very dismal spring river flows. With the 2026 water year underway, let's take a closer look at what the current snowpack could mean for recreation and water supply in the spring.

Colorado’s Early Snow Deficit: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Read More: The Best Snowshoe Trails Near Grand Junction, Colorado

SNOTEL data indicate that snowpack is running well below median in mid-November, confirming a slow start to winter in the Colorado Rockies. Snow.News points out it’s still early, but this kind of deficit at the beginning of the season is significant. A low snow-water equivalent typically means a thinner ski base, an earlier melt, and added stress on the water supply (See a larger version of the map here.)

Warmer temperatures and a shifting storm track may also make it tougher for Colorado to catch up later. And while timing matters as much as totals, we’re far enough behind to know the stakes are already higher this winter.

The Role of La Niña and What’s Ahead

This winter, La Niña is in the driver’s seat once again. While the Climate Prediction Center indicates that the weather cycle appears to be weaker this year, it could become a neutral cycle in 2026. This could impact multiple weather factors that could turn on the snow machine over the Rockies after the calendar turns over. For the Grand Valley, winter will arrive with the usual need to closely track basin data, and planning recreation after weighing risk and opportunity.

Read More: Windshield Wipers & Colorado Snow Storms: What You Need To Know

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