Colorado anticipates its recent trend of increased precipitation and cooler temperatures to extend into early May. While this offers some relief from drought conditions, it won’t fully reverse the impact of a historically warm and dry winter.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Lucas Boyer, the mix of snow and rain observed in Colorado’s mountains this week is set to persist. A storm arriving Thursday and Friday, followed by weekend showers, will continue this pattern.
Boyer noted, “Given how dry we’ve been, it certainly feels wet right now. However, this storm doesn’t contain enough water to significantly alter the situation.”
Severe drought conditions continue across Colorado. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that nearly the entire Western Slope is experiencing extreme (Level 3 of 4) or exceptional (Level 4 of 4) drought. The northwest corner of the state is particularly affected, facing some of the most intense drought conditions nationwide.
Despite some mountain areas receiving up to an inch of snow-water equivalent this week, Boyer explained that these average April precipitation levels are insufficient to make a substantial difference due to the drought’s severity.
In Meeker, a small town in northwest Colorado, liquid precipitation is 3 inches below normal for this time of year, roughly a quarter of its usual amount, Boyer stated. Other Western Slope locations, like Aspen, are faring slightly better, with precipitation only about 30% below average; however, significant recovery from drought remains a distant goal.
A storm system moving north into Colorado on Thursday and Friday is expected to bring several inches of “measurable snow” to the mountains. The National Weather Service forecasts 5 to 13 inches of snowfall, with the highest accumulations anticipated in the Front Range and Mosquito Range.
Boyer advised drivers to exercise caution Thursday night and Friday morning, particularly along the I-70 corridor near Vail Pass, where snow could create hazardous road conditions. Thunderstorms are also a possibility.
Scattered rain and snow showers may linger through the weekend, with another period of “unsettled weather” likely starting around Monday, Boyer predicted.
Regarding the long-term outlook, Boyer mentioned that Colorado is expected to remain slightly wetter but also hotter over the next two weeks. While everyone hopes the increased moisture will keep fire danger at bay, he emphasized that this outcome is not guaranteed.
He elaborated, “At the very least, we’re getting a temporary break from critical fire weather conditions because the ground moisture is keeping our relative humidity up. We haven’t had a major storm yet that breaks down the high-pressure system and brings those strong winds. This also helps keep critical fire weather at arm’s length, especially without those winds.”