A broad area of high pressure pushed out of eastern Colorado, giving way to a trough digging in from the southwest. As the low moved in, southeast Colorado was inundated with widespread rain and snow showers.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PUB wrote it up.
A broad area of high pressure pushed out of eastern Colorado, giving way to a trough digging in from the southwest. As the low moved in, southeast Colorado was inundated with widespread rain and snow showers.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pueblo, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 5, 10:57 AM MST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1157 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Widespread heavy rain and high elevation mountain snow today into Wednesday. - Best chance of the heaviest precip across the fcst area through Wednesday morning will be over the east slopes of the Pikes Peak Massif extending southwest across Fremont County. - More scattered, diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms Thursday through Sunday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 326 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 Round one of the heavy precip should start to impact the region this afternoon and evening, with the high res guidance pointing towards the east slope of the Pikes Peak Massif extending back into Fremont county. Accumulations of an inch to an inch and a half will be likely, and this will be heavy snow at the higher elevations. The main concern I have is how much accumulating snow will fall over the lower elevations of the Teller county region, i,e, Woodland Park? For now I have 1 to 3 inches of snow in the Woodland Park area, but this may not be enough, and the day crew will have to look at this carefully, especially this evening once the sun sets and the heavy precip continues. I should note even if heavy snow occurs in the Woodland Park area late this afternoon and evening, temperatures are going to remain rather warm, with low temps in the Woodland Park area only reaching to around 32 towards sunrise Tuesday. Higher up over the mountains it will be a no-brainer with respect to heavy snow, with 6-12" likely across the Wets/Sangres interface above 10000 feet. As for the remainder of the region, widespread precip in likely to near certain (70 - 100%) during this short term fcst period. Later on this evening, the first round of steadier precip will move out of the region, but the more significant "round 2" of this storm will start to push in from the south prior to sunrise, with north- bound heavy precip likely along the CO/NM border from the southern Sangres out to the OK/KS/CO border area by sunrise. \/Hodanish && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Issued at 326 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 Models continue to be in agreement with heavy rain through midweek, with high pressure building across the region for later this week into the weekend. Model guidance continues to increase precipitation amounts for portions of southern Colorado Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Wednesday...an upper low spinning over New Mexico will slowly lift northeast into Kansas Tuesday into Wednesday. Deep, moist, upslope flow is forecast to increase on Tuesday across the Plains. This will combine with an upper wave lifting north around the main low to the south. Models in very good agreement with heavy rain and snowfall all of Tuesday, especially for the Eastern Mountains into the I-25 corridor. Current model progs are in the 2 to 3 inch QPF range. DESI probs have 85 percent or greater chances for 2.5 to 3 inches of rainfall, and some upper end guidance pushes 4 to 5 inches for Teller County and the lower slopes of the Wet Mountains, all of this occurring through Wednesday afternoon. Snow levels are likely to fall to near 8500 feet for the Eastern Mountains, with 1 to 2 feet of snow possible from Tuesday into Wednesday afternoon. Locally higher amounts are certainly possible. Winter Storm Warnings and Watches have been issued for the Ramparts, Pikes Peak, Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain Ranges. By the time precipitation winds down on Wednesday morning, a light dusting of snow may be possible over Monument Hill. For the lower elevations, flooding may be an issue, especially if the higher end amounts fall. Will let the day shift coordinate with the hydrologist and river forecast center to determine flood potential. By Wednesday, the upper low moves into central Kansas. Low level flow turns more northerly, shutting off the deep upslope flow. That being said, light to moderate rain looks to continue at least through the morning hours, before decreasing during the afternoon. Expect precipitation intensities to wind down through the morning, with winter weather highlights ending by mid day. Overall, temperatures look to be cool, with 40s and 50s across the lower elevations for highs Tuesday and Wednesday. Overnight lows will fall into the 30s and 40s, with near freezing temperatures over the Palmer Divide both nights. Those with sensitive plants should take precautions to protect them, mainly over the Palmer Divide area. Thursday through Monday...upper level high pressure will build across the area Thursday through Saturday. Residual moisture and weak energy moving through the ridge will lead to daily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms over the higher terrain. Lightning, outflow wind gusts and brief heavy rainfall would be the main storm risks. Weak northwesterly flow aloft may allow for a storm or two to move into the I-25 corridor. By Sunday and Monday, and upper trough will dig out west forcing flow aloft to shift southwesterly. Continued diurnal showers and thunderstorms will remain along the Continental Divide. Overall, temperatures will warm through the 60s and into the 80s for the Plains by the weekend. Mozley && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1128 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 At KCOS, vcsh and occasional -shra through the day and into this evening, with prevailing MVFR cigs/vis occasionally falling to IFR under any heavier precip. Low risk of a brief tsra at well, though chance (20 percent) looks too low to mention in the taf at this point. Cigs lower to IFR after 02z, with periods of rain and fog through the night. Steady rain most of the day on Tuesday, with IFR vis and IFR/occasional LIFR cigs continuing. At KPUB, vcsh and occasional -shra through the day and into this evening, with prevailing MVFR cigs/vis occasionally falling to IFR under any heavier precip. Low risk of a brief tsra at well, especially in the 18z-19z window as convection rotates northward through the area. Cigs lower to IFR after 03z, with periods of rain and fog through the night. Steady rain Tuesday, with IFR vis and IFR/brief LIFR cigs continuing. At KALS vcsh this afternoon, with a window for tsra 22z-02z as stronger convection rotates north through the San Luis Valley. Overnight MVFR vis/cigs with occasional light rain, then steady rain and IFR conditions after 12z Tue. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Tuesday for COZ060-066- 068. Winter Storm Watch from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning for COZ072-074-079-081. Winter Storm Warning until noon MDT Wednesday for COZ073-075- 080-082. && SHORT TERM...HODANISH LONG TERM...MOZLEY AVIATION...PETERSEN
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1146 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 COZ058>089-093>099-061800- Western Mosquito Range/East Lake County Above 11000 Feet- Leadville Vicinity/Lake County Below 11000 Feet- Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet- Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Feet- Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Feet- Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet- Saguache County West of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet- Saguache County East of Continental Divide Below 10000 Feet- La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Feet- Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below 10000 Feet-Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Feet- Del Norte Vicinity/Northern San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet- Alamosa Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Feet- Southern San Luis Valley- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 8500 And 11000 Feet- Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Between 7500 and 11000 Feet- Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Feet- Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet- Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Feet- Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Feet- Wet Mountains between 6300 and 10000 Feet- Wet Mountains Above 10000 Feet- Teller County/Rampart Range Above 7500 Feet/Pikes Peak Between 7500 And 11000 Feet-Pikes Peak Above 11000 Feet- Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County- Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range Below 7500 Feet- Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range Below 7400 Feet-Pueblo Vicinity/Pueblo County Below 6300 Feet- Walsenburg Vicinity/Upper Huerfano River Basin Below 7500 Feet- Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Feet- Crowley County-La Junta Vicinity/Otero County- Eastern Las Animas County-Western Kiowa County- Eastern Kiowa County-Las Animas Vicinity/Bent County- Lamar Vicinity/Prowers County-Springfield Vicinity/Baca County- 1146 AM MDT Mon May 5 2025 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Rain will occur over the entire region today and tonight, with heavy high elevation mountain snow likely later this afternoon and evening. Though all areas will receive precipitation, the Pikes Peak region will likely receive the heaviest rain and snow. Areas most impacted will be the east slopes of the Pikes Peak Massif extending back into the higher elevations of Fremont County. Snow levels across the greater Teller and Fremont county area may fall down towards 9000 feet later this evening as precipitation gets heavier. Snow may become heavy at times from 9000 feet and above. Heavy snow will fall this afternoon and evening over the remainder of the mountains, including the Sangre De Cristo mountains and the higher elevations of the Wet Mountains. The San Juan mountains above 9000 feet will also receive several inches of accumulating snowfall. Thunderstorms and thundersnow are likely today and tonight across teh region. A few strong storms may be possible across parts of lower Las Animas county down around the Trinidad region. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Heavy rainfall and snow is forecast for Tuesday into Wednesday afternoon across much of southern Colorado. The heaviest precipitation is expected along the Eastern Mountains, into the Interstate 25 corridor. Snow amounts above 8500 feet in excess of 12 inches are forecast, with some areas seeing up to 2 or more feet. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with higher amounts possible along the lower slopes of the Ramparts, Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains. Localized flooding is also a concern, especially in flood prone areas. An isolated thunderstorm will be possible both days, with lightning, gusty outflow winds to 40 mph and small hail the main storm risks. Diurnal showers and thunderstorms will be possible daily Thursday through Sunday, mainly across the higher terrain. Lightning, gusty outflow winds and brief heavy rainfall will be the main storm concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be likely over portions of the region. EHR/88
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
There was 19.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 4.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 15.6 inches of snow measured.
There was 22.3 inches of snow measured.
There was 6.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 31.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 5.0 inches of snow measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, May 2025
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1269966, 1269967, 1269968, 1269970, 1269971, 1269973, 1269974, 1269975, 1269976, 1269977.