dailyloe.com – As May approaches, a forecast predicts snow accumulation in the Colorado Rockies, with totals reaching up to two feet in the highest elevations. This weather event comes after months of a snow drought affecting the region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued this forecast for late-April and early May.
The forecast also includes lesser snow amounts for Montana and Wyoming. The WPC described this situation as a “classic setup for mountain snow” in an area that needs significant precipitation. Despite the forecasted snow, meteorologist Joel Gratz from OpenSnow noted that it would not resolve the ongoing drought conditions.
Gratz stated, “The snowpack during the 2025-2026 season in Colorado was near or at a record low for most locations in the state and at most times during the winter.” He added that while the upcoming snow would help, it would not break the drought. Brian Fuchs, a drought expert from the National Drought Mitigation Center, echoed this sentiment, indicating that some areas in Colorado are experiencing one of the worst snow seasons on record.
AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines highlighted the severity of the drought, noting that the northwest part of Colorado is classified under exceptional drought conditions. He stated that certain areas have not seen consecutive months of above-normal precipitation since 2024.
Gratz mentioned that additional snow could range from 6 to 24 inches between April 28 and May 7. He pointed out that while late-season snow is not unusual for Colorado’s mountains, temperatures are typically warmer this time of year, making it challenging for significant accumulation to occur.
Fuchs remarked on the difficulty of seeing lasting snow accumulations in warmer temperatures, suggesting that not much snow will contribute to seasonal totals in the highest peaks. Kines reiterated that while the upcoming precipitation will provide some short-term relief, it will not significantly alleviate the long-term drought conditions.
Regarding ski areas, Kines confirmed that most are closed at this time. The forecasted snow may arrive too late in the season to benefit winter sports enthusiasts.
