Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 01/10/2026🌧️ Today marks the first day of Water Year 2027! What is a Water Year and why do water managers and climatologists use them? Check out our thread below ⬇️ 051
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 22/09/2026For a run-down of current drought conditions and where El Niño may take us in the coming months, tune in to the September state Water Conditions Monitoring Committee meeting later this morning: cwcb.colorado.gov/Water-Condit... #cowxcwcb.colorado.govWater Conditions Monitoring Committee | DNR CWCB 040
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 10/09/2026August 2026 was our warmest on record: our 3rd record-warm month in this calendar year and the 4th for Water Year 2026. Last month featured a mix of worsening drought and localized flash flooding, as well as two tragic weather-related fatalities. Check out out our latest monthly summary for more:climate.colostate.eduCO Monthly Climate Summary 11812
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 09/09/2026NOAA data confirms that we just went through the warmest August and the warmest climatological summer (June-July-August) on record for Colorado. Stay tuned for our monthly summary (coming soon!) which will include stats on the many, many records broken this summer. #cowx 0269
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 04/09/2026"Colorado continues to suffer from severe drought...The brewing super El Niño may offer some hope, but a wide array of outcomes are possible...a bit like playing a game of poker with a few extra aces and kings in the deck. The deck may be stacked in our favor, but we could still draw a crummy hand." 030
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 04/09/2026...but the correlation with mountain snowpack (the source of our water) is frustratingly weak. Statewide, the correlation between ENSO and peak snow water equivalent is effectively zero, though there is some modest positive correlation in southern Colorado (i.e., greater snowpack in El Niño years). 140
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 04/09/2026Historically, El Niño has increased the chances for wetter-than-average conditions in Colorado, especially in fall and spring... 100
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 04/09/2026New blog post: What Super El Niño means for Colorado. 🧵climate.colostate.eduWhat Super El Niño Means for Colorado - Colorado Climate BlogYou have likely heard news about El Niño recently. The National Weather Service reports that El Niño officially began in June. Observations from the International Research Institute show that it conti... 1137
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterRuss Schumacher @rschumacher.cloud · 22/08/2026The seasonality of extreme warmth was really stretched this year in Fort Collins. Back in March we had our first 90°F day forty-five (45) days earlier than one had ever been observed. Then yesterday (Aug 21) it reached 101°F, which is nearly 3 weeks later than any previous 100-degree day. #cowx 44315
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterBoulderCAST Weather 🏔️⛈️ @bouldercast.com · 22/08/20262026 WARMTH CONTINUES 🌡️ Boulder hit 101° on Friday, breaking the daily record high for August 21st (98° | 2023) This was the city's 7th 100°+ day and 25th 95°+ day of 2026, both new all-time calendar year records This was also the 23rd daily record high set or tied in 2026 (#1 all-time) #COWx 2233
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 14/08/2026new blog post, recapping the symposium remembering the 50th anniversary of the Big Thompson flood:climate.colostate.edu50th Anniversary of The Big Thompson Canyon Flood of 1976: A Final Recap - Colorado Climate BlogWe’re now nearly a couple weeks past the 50th Anniversary of the Big Thompson Flood, one of the deadliest weather-related disasters in our state’s history. There were several commemorative events on J... 283
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 14/08/2026Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin shows a high risk of flash flooding again today (Friday August 14) in northeastern Colorado and along the Palmer Divide. Be weather aware and stay safe! #cowx www.coloradofloodthreat.com 0123
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 11/08/2026July is the hottest month of the year in Colorado, and this July was the 2nd hottest on record. Records were broken for both hot days and warm nights. The monsoon finally arrived, bringing welcome rain but unwelcome flash flooding. Read more in our July summary! climate.colostate.edu/monthly_summ... 0157
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 10/08/2026*Big* pattern change on the way later this week, as the ridge of high pressure and heat finally fades and rain chances increase considerably statewide. Here's hoping for some real drought relief (and minimal flash flooding). #cowx 0214
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterCSU Department of Atmospheric Science @csuatmossci.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Professor and Colorado State Climatologist Russ Schumacher presented at the @climate.colostate.edu's symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Big Thompson Flood held in Estes Park, Colorado. 0186
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 01/08/2026Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! Here's one of our favorite maps: average annual precipitation with color shading inspired by the state flag. It nicely illustrates the many variations in weather and climate across our beautiful state. 🎂🥳 0229
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 31/07/2026We will be hosting a symposium today in Estes Park to discuss the flood and the scientific and communication advances that have emerged in the last 50 years. We have reached capacity for the event, but we hope some of you were able to register and that we will see you there. /end #cowx 071
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 31/07/2026This PBS documentary, produced for the 40th anniversary of the flood in 2016, includes many stories, videos, and insights including from former state climatologist Nolan Doesken. 4/youtube.comColorado Experience: Big Thompson FloodYouTube video by Rocky Mountain PBS 161
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 31/07/2026The National Weather Service in Boulder put together a new storymap with meteorological details, photos, and other information about the flood 3/storymaps.arcgis.com50th Anniversary, Big Thompson Flood July 31st, 1976Before and After Imagery along Highway 34 near Drake, Colorado 161
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 31/07/2026Here is a story from @denverpost.com this week with a look back at the flood 50 years later. 2/denverpost.comFifty years ago, a flash flood in a Front Range canyon killed 144 people. Could it happen again?The thousands of visitors and campers in Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon had only minutes to find higher ground before a storm system began dumping the equivalent of the area’s normal yearly rainfall. 150
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 31/07/2026Today is the 50th anniversary of the Big Thompson flood of July 31, 1976: one of the deadliest disasters in Colorado history. An intense rainstorm led to a rapid flood wave down the canyon where many people were commemorating Colorado's centennial. 144 people lost their lives. #cowx 1/ 25220
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 30/07/2026Significant flash flooding yesterday in multiple parts of Colorado, including the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres burn scars, resulting in debris flows, road closures, and evacuations #cowx 0103
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 29/07/2026New blog post: have you ever looked at the US Drought Monitor and wondered how the map gets put together? This post describes the methods that underpin drought monitoring, along with some of the challenges of depicting all types of drought on a single map.climate.colostate.eduUS Drought Monitor 101 - Colorado Climate BlogEvery Thursday morning, a colorful map of the United States updates online. Published by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the U.S. Drought Monitor (... 021
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 11/07/2026Extreme heat warning for parts of western Colorado through Monday: “Dangerously hot conditions with prolonged afternoon temperatures in the 100 to 106 range this weekend into early next week. Warm night time temperatures will bring little to no relief overnight.” #cowx 033
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterCSU Department of Atmospheric Science @csuatmossci.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Join the @climate.colostate.edu on Friday, July 31 at the Estes Valley Community Center. A suite of invited experts will look back on the history, meteorology, hydrology, and warning systems the day of the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. climate.colostate.edu/blog/index.p...climate.colostate.eduYou're Invited: Remembering the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Big Thompson Flood - Colorado Climate BlogHappy July! As we start the new month, our office is busy preparing to commemorate one of Colorado’s most impactful weather events: the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. Nearly 50 years ago, on July 31, 1976, ... 043
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 09/07/2026Warm and dry conditions returned to Colorado in June, with several fast-growing fires starting late in the month. June is also the typical peak for severe thunderstorms in Colorado, and this year was no exception. Read more in our monthly climate summary: climate.colostate.edu/monthly_summ... 094
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterThe Colorado Sun ☀️ @coloradosun.com · 08/07/2026Monsoon rains are on the horizon, experts say. Will they arrive soon enough to dampen fire risk?coloradosun.comMonsoon rains are on the horizon, experts say. Will they arrive soon enough to dampen fire risk?Large fires have ignited in Colorado, and rain this week will offer some relief before a weekend heatwave. Monsoon rains are on the horizon. 1166
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 03/07/2026Unfortunately the Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo and Custer Counties has already jumped into the top 10 list of Colorado's largest wildfires in just four days of rapid growth. It has burned over 68K acres as of last night, with another day of red flag conditions expected today. #cowx 021
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 03/07/2026Wildfires have grown quickly in Colorado in the last week amid dry and windy conditions. We've revamped the interactive maps of large wildfires on our website, to also include currently active fires (updated daily). climate.colostate.edu/large_wildfi... #cowx 252
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 19/06/2026new blog post: where do things stand with the drought in Colorado, and where are we headed? #cowxclimate.colostate.eduWhere do things stand with the drought, and where are we headed? - Colorado Climate BlogAfter the worst year for mountain snowpack since snowpack has been measured, we are now starting to see the extremely low river flows that were expected as a result. Some areas have received beneficia... 0155
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterCSU Department of Atmospheric Science @csuatmossci.bsky.social · 11/06/2026The @climate.colostate.edu supports Colorado through alarming drought conditions. With three-quarters of the state in severe drought, Colorado’s Drought Task Force is leaning on Professor Russ Schumacher for regular updates on statewide conditions. engr.source.colostate.edu/colorado-cli...engr.source.colostate.eduColorado Climate Center supports state through alarming drought conditionsColorado’s Drought Task Force is leaning on Russ Schumacher, atmospheric science professor at Colorado State University, for regular updates on statewide conditions. 073
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 10/06/2026It was a pretty normal May across Colorado, which might have felt unusual after all the warmth recently. May concluded the warmest spring on record for Colorado. There was beneficial rainfall (and snowfall!) but drought persisted. More in our May summary: climate.colostate.edu/monthly_summ... 094
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 06/06/2026Critical fire weather in western Colorado each day from today (Saturday) through Tuesday, with hot, dry, and windy conditions. Graphic from NWS Grand Junction (www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Ds...) #cowx 063
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterThe Denver Post @denverpost.com · 05/06/2026Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declares statewide drought emergencydenverpost.comColorado Gov. Jared Polis declares statewide drought emergency 0107
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterThe Colorado Sun ☀️ @coloradosun.com · 02/06/2026Colorado officials call for more state actions to combat impacts of droughtcoloradosun.comColorado officials call for more state actions to combat impacts of droughtThe Colorado Drought Task Force called for an emergency drought proclamation from Gov. Jared Polis to unlock more resources to fight drought. 0145
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 22/05/2026Updates from this week's state Water Conditions Monitoring Committee meeting, including the flash drought in southeastern Colorado and the welcome rain in northern Colorado, in this @coloradosun.com story.coloradosun.comA flash drought in southeastern Colorado primed plains for the Sharpe fireA flash drought in April left the southeastern Colorado plains dry and primed for fire. Then dry lightning hit, and the Sharpe fire ignited. 040
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 21/05/2026🌧️ Models are optimistic about our precipitation chances over the next couple of weeks. The latest 8-14 day outlook from NOAA shows increased likelihood for above average precipitation for the end of May-early June. #cowx 030
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 21/05/2026🏜️ CO Drought Update: The northern half of CO saw substantial precipitation earlier this week, leading to improvements for some in the latest Drought Monitor. Southern CO saw less moisture, prompting deteriorating drought conditions in the San Luis Valley. 1125
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 16/05/2026Severe thunderstorm activity will be ramping up in eastern Colorado this weekend, right on time in mid-May. Here’s a blog post from a couple years ago with the where and when of Colorado severe weather, along with where to get timely information. #cowxclimate.colostate.eduRamping up to peak severe thunderstorm and tornado season in Colorado - Colorado Climate BlogThe midwest and south have been very active with severe weather lately, but it’s been relatively quiet here in Colorado so far. But we’ve reached the middle of May, which is the time of year when the ... 063
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterThe Colorado Sun ☀️ @coloradosun.com · 11/05/2026Colorado’s Drought Task Force ramps up response to record-breaking conditionscoloradosun.comColorado’s Drought Task Force ramps up response to record-breaking conditions Officials are working to identify local drought impacts and vulnerabilities as the group kicks into gear for the first time since 2020. 0157
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 11/05/2026After a record-shattering March, April seemed at least a little more normal in Colorado. But it was again warmer than average. Flash drought set in across the eastern Plains. Mountain snowmelt slowed, but remained record low. Read more in our April 2026 summary: climate.colostate.edu/monthly_summ... 0165
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterChris Bianchi @bianchiweather.bsky.social · 08/05/20269 years ago today, the costliest hailstorm in U.S. and Colorado history pummeled the west side of the Denver metro area. An estimated 150k auto insurance claims came in after baseball-size hail blasted Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Lakewood. It destroyed the Colorado Mills mall. What do you remember? 10378
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 30/04/2026🏜️ Colorado Drought Update: It's been a while since we've had drought improvements to report on! A few parts of the state finally saw some beneficial rainfall. Meanwhile, drought conditions continued to worsen in southeast CO as mostly dry conditions persisted. #cowx 043
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterBecky Bolinger @climatebecky.com · 17/04/2026This is my new favorite graphic produced by @climate.colostate.edu and @rschumacher.cloud. It's also been quite fascinating to watch the accumulation of above average temperatures for the water year. Find it here: climate.colostate.edu/co_cag/ 24815
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 09/04/2026March 2026 rewrote the record books for early-spring warmth in Colorado. It was warmer than most Aprils. Hundreds of temperature records were set across the state, including a new March record of 99°F. The heat was prolonged, and it was also very dry. Read more in our monthly state climate summary.👇climate.colostate.eduCO Monthly Climate Summary 097
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 07/04/2026www.cpr.org/2026/04/06/h...cpr.orgWhy scientists still use a milk scale and antique aluminum tubes to track Colorado’s record-low snowpackBy maintaining Depression-era methods, researchers have confirmed this year’s snowpack is unprecedented. 022
Reposted by Colorado Climate CenterJeff Lukas @lukasclimate.bsky.social · 07/04/2026March was...not helpful. NOAA CBRFC's April 1st (50% exceedance) forecast now has Lake Powell April-July inflows at 1400 KAF, 22% of average. Only 2002 (963 KAF) and 1977 (1208 KAF) ended up with lower inflows than that. If dry conditions continue through spring, 2026 could drop below 2002. 1156
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 02/04/2026But, April is at least looking more like April so far! Western Colorado got more rain in the last two days than in all of March, and some places that went snow-free have snow again! So we can hope that this slows down the rapid degradation of conditions that occurred in the last few weeks. /end 0160
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 02/04/2026As a result, the drought situation continues to worsen. Almost the entire northwestern quarter of the state is now in D4 (exceptional) drought, going back to a dry spring and summer in 2025 and a terrible winter and early spring this year. D4 coverage of 21.59% is the largest since February 2021. 4/ 1113
Colorado Climate Center @climate.colostate.edu · 02/04/2026Perhaps more shocking is how much less SWE there was than in any previous years. Most locations have less than half of the previous record low, and several locations that have never before had less than 5 or 6 inches of SWE on April 1 have no snow on the ground this year. 3/ 2121