The following works for me:
<?php if (have_posts()) : ?>
<?php $post = $posts[0]; // Hack. Set $post so that the_date() works. ?>
<?php /* If this is a category archive */ if (is_category()) { ?>
<h1>Articles in '<?php echo single_cat_title(); ?>'</h1>
<?php /* below is what you are looking for */ ?>
<p><?php echo category_description(single_cat_title()); ?></p>
The following works for me when I need to show the category description for the category.
<?php if (have_posts()) : ?>
<?php $post = $posts[0]; // Hack. Set $post so that the_date() works. ?>
<?php /* If this is a category archive */ if (is_category()) { ?>
<h1>Articles in ‘<?php echo single_cat_title(); ?>'</h1>
<p><?php echo category_description(single_cat_title()); ?></p>
