Denver might hit 90 degrees during forecasted March heat wave; snowpack in bad shape

Colorado’s record warmth and dryness during winter 2025/26 continues as the first day of is spring only a week away. The state’s snowpack is flirting with record-low levels and the long range weather outlook looks rather bleak as well.

Not only is the state’s snowpack and snow water equivalent averages in record-low territory, it possible new record highs could be recorded next week as well.

The state’s snowpack is the worst on record in 39 years. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began recording the state’s snowpack during winter 1986/87 using automated snowpack measuring systems spread around the high country.

Colorado’s snowpack on March 12 sat at 62% of median average for the date, with only 8.5 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) locked away in the snow, according to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For comparison, the historic record SWE minimum of 9.3 inches during winter 2001/02 is 0.8 inches higher than winter 2025/26’s level.

Colorado’s median snow water equivalent level in winter 2025/26 on March 12 is the same level as it on average would be on Jan. 21; nearly two months behind the 1991-2020 median average.

Record heat forecast

A historic heat wave could happen statewide beginning March 18 and could last for nearly a week, extended weather models are forecasting.

The European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) forecasts daily high temperatures to be 80+ for many locations from Trinidad to Fort Collins from March 18 to 24, with the potential for Denver to reach 90 degrees on Saturday, March 21 and/or Sunday, March 22.

NWS data shows the earliest recorded 90-degree day in Denver history was recorded on April 30, 1992.

If a high temperature of 90 degrees were to be recorded next week, it would not only become the earliest 90-degree day recorded in city history, but also about five weeks earlier than the previous record.

For comparison, data from the National Weather Service (NWS) during the nine-day historical period from March 18 to 26 shows Denver can be rather warm.

Daily highs recorded in Denver from March 18-26:

• March 18, 1907 – 82 degrees
• March 19, 1907 – 81 degrees
• March 20, 1907 – 80 degrees
• March 21, 1995 – 78 degrees
• March 22, 2005 – 79 degrees
• March 23, 2017 – 77 degrees
• March 24, 1896 – 76 degrees
• March 25, 2012 – 75 degrees
• March 26, 1971 – 84 degrees (record high for March)

Daily high temperatures in Colorado’s high country are forecast to be in the 60s and 70s, nearing or breaking daily high temperature records too.

The current ECMWF forecast predicts daily highs in Grand Lake pushing close to 70 degrees on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22.

National Weather Service records dating back to 1939 show the record high in Grand Lake on March 21 is 62 degrees and on March 22 is 65 degrees, both set in 2004. The March record high in Grand Lake is 67 degrees, set on March 6, 1987.