Below is the Snow Water Equivalent in South Platte graph from the NRCS for October 5, 2026. Snowpack is 112% of the median and 1% of the median peak. There are 196 days until the median peak. I’ve added the lines for 2026, 2018, 2012, and 2002 since the statewide drought is still very pronounced.
Below is the Precipitation Accumulation in South Platte graph from the NRCS for October 12, 2026. This morning precipitation, at the SNOTEL stations, is at 5% of the median (no change one week), and 0% of the water year median (no change one week). There are 254 days left in the water year. I’ve added the lines for 2026, 2018, 2012, and 2002 since the statewide drought is still very pronounced.
Rain/snow is likely Tuesday and Wednesday, with a slight chance for snow showers Thursday, in the central mountains. There is a slight chance for showers today, rain/snow is likely Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in the northern mountains. Showers are likely Tuesday and Wednesday, with a chance for showers Thursday, down here about 337 miles from the Indigenous Gardens at Fort Lewis College on Indigenous Peoples Day. From Fort Lewis College:
The sun was shining bright last Friday [October 4, 2026] as more than 200 FLC faculty, staff, students, and community members gathered outside FLC’s Indigenous Garden for its official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It’s really beautiful today. And I think this garden’s going to have many days like that,” said Lilliona Benally, one of the FLC students who spent the summer interning at the garden. “It’s also going to have hard days, like all of us. I really want to think about that support, that as much as we’re supporting this garden, we’re going to support each other in the years to come.”
Joslynn Lee, associate professor of chemistry, is an FLC alumna who was key in launching the reconciliation efforts at FLC. She called on those present to consider how Indigenous people connect with plants.
“They’re important because plants are central not only for nutrition, medicinal purposes, ceremonial, and utility, just to name a few, but it’s really the connection that people feel with land, place, and space,’ she said.
Here’s a look at the Colorado 7-Day precipitation map through October 11, 2026 from the High Plains Regional Climate Center. Precipitation in the South Platte Basin along the Continental Divide of the Americas ranged from 0.00” to 0.40″.
Here’s the Colorado 7-Day percent of normal precipitation map through October 11, 2026 from the High Plains Regional Climate Center. Precipitation in the South Platte River Basin along the Continental Divide of the Americas was 0% to 50% of normal.
Here’s the most recent 7-Day Departure from Normal Temperature (F) for Colorado through October 11, 2026 from the High Plains Regional Climate Center.
Below is the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for the week of October 12, 2026. Precipitation is anticipated for the mountains of the South Platte River Basin and may total up to 1.50″.
Below are the 8-14 day outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center, issued October 11, 2026, for temperature and precipitation, for the week starting October 19, 2026. The CPC expects above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for the mountains of the South Platte River Basin.
Below is the Colorado Drought Monitor map from October 6, 2026. There were one class improvements in Weld, Elbert, Arapahoe, and Adams counties. There were two class improvements in Adams and Arapahoe counties. There were one class degradations in Morgan, Logan, Weld, Larimer, Boulder, Douglas, Sedgwick, Arapahoe, and Adams counties. Drought and abnormal dryness covers 84.38% of Colorado. The South Platte Basin is experiencing Abnormally Dry, Moderate, Severe, Extreme, and Exceptional drought conditions.
Below is the Colorado Drought Monitor one week change map ending October 6, 2026.
Here’s the US Drought Monitor Map from last week along with the one week U.S. change map.
Finally, the Colorado Climate Center released their monthly climate summary for September 2026 for Colorado recently.
