National Weather ServiceColoradoFreeze WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Freeze Watches in Colorado
The National Weather Service issued 16 freeze watches for Colorado in 2025 and 15 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 8th most of any state. 2026 through September: 24, 246% above the average of 7 for those months in 2008-2025. Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin was covered most often (78 times since 2008).
How many freeze watches does Colorado get?
Every freeze watch that covered part of Colorado. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 24 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Colorado get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Colorado?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin | 78 | 15 | May 7, 2026 |
| Grand Valley | 76 | 15 | April 18, 2026 |
| Four Corners/Upper Dolores River | 61 | 19 | May 7, 2026 |
| Debeque to Silt Corridor | 57 | 11 | May 7, 2026 |
| Lower Yampa River Basin | 48 | 16 | May 20, 2026 |
| Central Yampa River Basin | 48 | 14 | May 20, 2026 |
| Central Colorado River Basin | 48 | 15 | May 7, 2026 |
| Animas River Basin | 42 | 19 | May 7, 2026 |
| Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Ft | 39 | 8 | May 19, 2026 |
| Western Kiowa County | 38 | 8 | May 19, 2026 |
| Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Ft | 37 | 8 | May 19, 2026 |
| La Junta Vicinity/Otero County | 37 | 6 | May 7, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a freeze watch?
A freeze watch means temperatures at or below 32°F are possible during the growing season. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. AreaZine's counts include the hard freeze watches issued before the change. The national record · Every warning type in Colorado.