Why It Matters
A series of spring storms is bringing much-needed precipitation to Colorado this week, offering temporary relief from severe drought conditions and reducing immediate wildfire threats across the state. The moisture arrives after a record-breaking dry and hot March left nearly all of Colorado under some level of drought.
The weather shift has boosted spring snowpack levels and slowed rapid snowmelt, providing breathing room for water managers and fire officials as the state transitions into its traditional fire season.
What Happened
Storm systems moving through Colorado between Sunday and Wednesday have delivered snowfall to mountainous regions and rain to lower elevations. The Western Slope received 2 to 5 inches of snow in many mountain areas, with Gothic reporting 9 inches. Grand Junction recorded about a tenth of an inch of rain, while Cedaredge at 6,500 feet elevation saw closer to an inch.
Areas north of Interstate 70 have experienced temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the 30-year average measured from 1991 to 2020. Southwestern Colorado saw temperatures about 5 degrees below normal.
North-central Colorado also saw significant snowfall, with Winter Park receiving approximately 6 inches Monday night. A winter weather advisory was issued Sunday for portions of northeastern Colorado warning of 2 to 8 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 45 mph.
By the Numbers
Forecasters expect additional snow totals of 3 to 6 inches above 8,000 feet in the San Juan and central mountains Thursday and Friday. The Front Range mountains could see 7 to 20 inches of snow between Wednesday and Friday, with heavier accumulation in southern foothills.
Plains areas along the Palmer Divide may receive half an inch of rain. South-central and southeastern Colorado recorded less than an inch of rain in most locations Monday.
Relative humidity has increased with the storms, a key factor in wildfire risk assessment. When humidity drops below 15 percent, fire danger rises significantly.
Zoom Out
The jet stream has positioned itself over the southern United States, directing storm systems through Colorado and establishing what meteorologists describe as a typical spring weather pattern. This marks a sharp contrast to March conditions when the state experienced unusually warm and dry weather.
Nearly all of Colorado remains under some degree of drought classification despite the recent moisture. The precipitation provides temporary suppression of critical fire weather conditions but does not resolve underlying water supply concerns.
What’s Next
Another storm system is forecast to move through Wednesday night, bringing additional snow to higher elevations through Friday. Temperatures are expected to remain 5 to 10 degrees below normal Wednesday, dropping as much as 25 degrees below normal Thursday before warming Friday into the weekend.
Drivers should prepare for winter conditions on mountain passes, particularly at night. Light snow showers may continue along the Front Range in coming days, though forecasters note uncertainty remains about total precipitation amounts from approaching systems.