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Winter Storm Warning Colorado: When the Storm Hits, How Much Snow to Expect and Where
May is not done with winter yet. A slow-moving spring storm is pushing into Colorado and forecasters say it has the potential to dump serious snow across the mountains and foothills while bringing a messy rain and snow mix to communities along the Front Range that could knock out power and bring down trees.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning covering much of the northern mountains and foothills, including Larimer County and Rocky Mountain National Park. A winter storm watch runs through Wednesday for Fort Collins and the northern I-25 corridor. The storm’s heaviest impacts are centred on the foothills and mountains of Larimer County.
When Is This Hitting and How Bad Will It Get?
The NWS says confidence is high that the heaviest snowfall arrives late Tuesday and runs into Wednesday morning. For drivers, the worst of it unfolds in stages. Mountain travel gets ugly starting Tuesday, May 5. The foothills, I-25 corridor and Eastern Plains see their toughest conditions during the Tuesday night into Wednesday morning commute window on May 6.
Northern mountains and foothills are looking at one to two feet of snow. The NWS puts the odds of major travel impacts in the northern mountains at 50%, with a 90% chance of at least minor disruptions. For the foothills, I-25 corridor and Eastern Plains, there is a 25% chance of moderate travel impacts and a 65% chance of at least some degree of disruption.
How Much Snow Could Specific Areas See?
Here is how the odds break down for specific locations getting 8 inches or more of snow. Red Feather Lakes sits at 93%, Estes Park at 83%, Boulder at 27% and Fort Collins at 9%.
How Much Total Precipitation Is Expected?
Because warm ground temperatures create uncertainty around when rain transitions to snow and how much melts on contact, the NWS is tracking total precipitation from rain and snow combined for the May 4 to 7 window. Here is what different locations are looking at:
Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park tops the list at 2.5 inches, followed by Allenspark and Buckhorn Mountain in Larimer County at 2.3 inches each. Red Feather Lakes and Cameron Pass are at 2.2 inches. Fort Collins, Estes Park and Berthoud are each forecast to receive 1.9 inches. Loveland, Johnstown and Boulder sit at 1.8 inches, with Windsor and Greeley at 1.7 inches. Fort Morgan comes in at 1.6 inches, Sterling and Denver International Airport at 1.4 inches, and Denver at 1.3 inches. Castle Rock is at 1.2 inches and Walden at 1.1 inches.
Fort Collins has only received 1.25 inches of total precipitation so far this year, making the forecast 1.9 inches from this storm alone a meaningful boost for a city well behind on moisture.
What Should You Watch For?
Beyond the snow totals, the NWS has flagged the potential for tree damage and power outages, particularly where heavy wet snow accumulates on branches that have already leafed out for spring. That combination of spring foliage and late-season snow is exactly the kind of setup that brings limbs down onto power lines.
If you are planning to travel anywhere near the mountains or along the I-25 corridor Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, keeping a close eye on updated forecasts before heading out is the sensible move.
