Weather
Snow returns to Colorado’s high peaks beginning Sunday night, peaking on Tuesday with double-digit totals likely at Loveland, Monarch, and several Front Range and Southern resorts, before tapering to scattered light showers by Thursday and a warm, mostly dry pattern late week. A spring storm lifts moisture from the southwest, gradually lowers snow levels from around 10,000 feet to near 8,000 feet, and delivers generally medium-to-high snow ratios (9-13:1) that should keep surfaces chalky rather than soggy. Expect the best turns Tuesday into early Wednesday on higher north-facing terrain; by next weekend, rising temperatures and ridging aloft will shut the door on meaningful new snow.
Sunday brings the first pulse of moisture across the San Juans and central mountains. Showers and a few late-day thunderstorms develop over the southern ranges, with snow levels near 10,500 feet—too high for resort bases but capable of laying down a couple of inches on the upper lifts at Wolf Creek, Telluride, and Monarch. Farther north, only isolated sprinkles reach Summit and Grand Counties, leaving the Front Range mainly dry under well-above-normal temperatures.
Monday ushers in the main storm as a closed low crosses the Four Corners. Precipitation spreads north of I-70 by midday, but continued high snow levels (9,500–10,000 feet) keep early accumulations modest and occasionally mixed at mid-mountain. Southern resorts accumulate an additional 2–4 inches on upper slopes, while Winter Park and the I-70 corridor see wetter snow or rain below ridgeline. Moderate snow ratios in the 9–11:1 range will produce dense, supportive turns rather than blower powder.
Tuesday is the prime powder day. Colder air wraps in behind the low, dropping snow levels to 8,000 feet and boosting snowfall rates—particularly on the east slope of the Front Range, where upslope flow favors Loveland and Arapahoe Basin for 6–10 inches over 24 hours. The San Juans and Monarch also score steady snowfall, while Summit County and the central valleys pick up lighter totals due to downslope shadows. Ratios climb toward 11–13:1 Tuesday night, improving snow quality and giving higher elevations a dry, chalky feel.
Wednesday sees lingering light snow before a drying trend sets in. Residual moisture adds a trace to 3 inches through midday, then heights build and temperatures rebound Thursday and Friday. Afternoon convective showers may pop but should deliver little or no accumulation. Looking beyond May 8, the 6–10 and 8–14 day outlooks favor persistent ridging over the western United States, supporting above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for Colorado—unfavorable for additional late-season snow.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Monarch – 8″-15″ Sun night (05/04) – Thu (05/08)
- Loveland/Arapahoe Basin – 8″-15″ Sun night (05/04) – Wed night (05/07)
- Winter Park – 7″-13″ Mon (05/05) – Wed night (05/07)
- Wolf Creek – 7″-13″ Sun night (05/04) – Thu (05/08)
- Telluride – 5″-11″ Sun (05/04) – Thu (05/08))
- Copper Mountain/Breckenridge – 3″-6″ Sun night (05/04) – Wed (05/07)
- Crested Butte – 3″-6″ Sun night (05/04) – Tue night (05/06)
