After dry winter, Colorado eyes rainy relief from super El Niño

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]We continue the weather conversation here because earlier this week we talked about a super El Nino taking shape that could impact the summer season here in Colorado. Weather Impact Team Meteorologist Keely Chalmers is joining us live in Golden right now. And Keely, what would a super El Nino mean for Colorado?

[00:00:16]Yeah, well, it could mean good news. It very well could mean a lot of rain this summer and a good amount of snow come next winter. And considering we had a historically dry winter this past season, low snow totals, low snow pack, that would certainly be a welcome change. Now, typically during an El Nino the jet stream shifts south over the southern states funneling moisture from the Pacific over those areas. As a result, the south often experiences much wetter and cooler summers. So, what about Colorado? Well, we sit sort of in the middle. In 1997 a super El Nino did bring more rain to Colorado, which have even resulted in flooding across the front range and eastern plains. So, that could very well be the case again. What an El Nino pattern historically does not bring to Colorado are those severe hail and tornado-producing storms. Colorado typically sees more tornadoes in La Nina years. But again, we do know that with El Nino patterns above normal precipitation looks promising for Colorado. And factor in what looks to be an active monsoon season for Colorado, which will mean frequent thunderstorms throughout the summer, and we could see enough moisture to reduce the drought risk we are currently facing. As for the outlook for snow and mountain snowpack during a super El Nino, well, that is looking actually pretty good. Past super El Nino years have brought above normal or even well above normal snow totals to the mounds. So, much improved snow pack, that certainly would be fantastic news.

[00:01:58]Reporting live from Golden, I'm 9 News Weather Impact Team Meteorologist Keeley Chalmers. We'll send it back to you guys in the studio.