Rain is in the forecast for much of southern Colorado this week, with heavy snow expected in the high country.

Measurable precipitation has been hit or miss in recent months. Much of southern Colorado, besides El Paso County, is under abnormal to severe drought levels, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. For some areas across the plains, drought levels are extreme.

Tuesday temperatures will stay unseasonably warm but be 10-15 degrees cooler than Monday, according to Meteorologist Casey Dorn of Gazette news partner KOAA.

The cold front will reduce fire danger Tuesday, Dorn said.

The National Weather Service’s office in Pueblo is forecasting a 30% chance for showers in Colorado Springs on Tuesday. Rain is most likely on Wednesday and Friday. Also on the forecast for Friday in Colorado Springs is snow.

Dorn said the second round of precipitation on Wednesday will be heavier north of U.S. 50. Isolated thunderstorms will also be possible that afternoon. Some “significant” snow totals ranging from 6-12 inches are also expected in the high country between Tuesday and Wednesday, Dorn said.

A Pacific weather system will bring snow to the higher terrain, especially along the Continental Divide, tonight and Wednesday. Travel could be hazardous across the higher mountain passes later tonight and Wednesday, with slushy and snow packed roads. #cowx pic.twitter.com/9LBTwseVVO

— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) March 31, 2026

The Weather Service said snow accumulation will be the greatest across the southwest in areas such as Wolf Creek Pass and central mountains west of Buena Vista and Leadville.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph may create periods of difficult travel on mountain passes, according to KOAA.

This week breaks away from a pattern of record-setting warmth seen across southern Colorado.

Weather Service data shows Colorado Springs has broken at least 16 daily and all-time heat records since Nov. 2, 2025. In Pueblo, there have been at least 19 records broken since Oct. 9.

The blistering, dry and windy conditions amid a historically low snowpack has fire officials on edge.

“Any precipitation we get will be helpful for the dry conditions we’ve had,” said Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Wankowski.

Wankowski said this week will be a “typical” early spring weather pattern that won’t have any impacts on people except in the high country.

Weather Service data shows the Colorado Springs area recorded 1.03 inches of precipitation in March, 0.05 in February and 1.02 in January.

January and February saw extremes on opposite ends: the first month of the year recorded the highest precipitation total of January, while the following month was .02 inches off of being the lowest.

The precipitation has aided in keeping El Paso County out of drought.

Wankowski said it will take a “persistent amount of storms” to impact stronger drought levels seen across much of Colorado.

Here is an extended forecast for Colorado Springs, per the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 63 degrees. Night will see a 40% chance for more rain. The low will be around 36 degrees. New precipitation amounts to less than a tenth of an inch.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 70 degrees. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 37 degrees.

Friday: There will be a 40% chance for rain and snow showers after noon. The high will be around 57 degrees. Night will see a 50% chance for rain and snow showers.

Saturday: A 30% chance for more rain and snow showers, with a high near 57 degrees. Saturday night will be cloudy, with a low around 30 degrees.

Sunday: The sun returns, with a high near 64 degrees. Sunday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 33.