Another upper trough passed over Colorado near the end of the first week of May. Persistent upsloping into the mountains/plains interface, combined with some good synoptic forcing, gave us accumulating snowfall over several areas.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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.
Another upper trough passed over Colorado near the end of the first week of May. Persistent upsloping into the mountains/plains interface, combined with some good synoptic forcing, gave us accumulating snowfall over several areas.
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, 10:53 AM MST, 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1153 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A passing winter system will bring heavy, wet snow to the area later today through Weds Night. Wetting rain also expected for the lower elevations at times. - Slushy roads, hazardous travel, and damage to trees and power lines will all be possible. - Subfreezing temperatures expected across the area Weds Night into early Thursday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1239 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 Model agreement continues to improve on the evolution of our active weather pattern this week. Two separate systems will impact SE Colorado; a broad upper trough just to our north and east, and a second low pressure system passing to our south. A northerly surge is already through the plains, due to the northern trough passing by. As a result, surface winds over the plains will turn ESE, giving us persistent upsloping to help enhance precipitation and cloud cover. Precip will mainly start increasing in chance and coverage after around midday, after a brief lull in the morning hours. This will coincide with an increase in surface winds, with showers spreading over the Palmer Divide, mountains/plains interface, and generally other areas north of Highway 50. With this wintry system coming so late in the season, temperatures will play a big role in what kinds of precipitation we see at the surface, along with rain/snow accumulations and rates. To start, today's showers will initiate as rain across the lower elevations, while the peaks of the mountains see snow. Initial mountain snow accumulations look to be on the lighter side through the rest of the afternoon, though the top of Pikes Peak will likely see a few inches by sunset. Moving into tonight, temperatures will quickly drop over the top of the Palmer, with rain switching over to snow prior to midnight. By Weds morning, snow levels are expected to drop over the rest of I-25 and portions of the plains north of Highway 50. The tricky part will be where the heaviest accumulations will be for snow, along with considering how much of it melts. With temperatures remaining above freezing over the plains and parts of the Palmer at the initial onset of the system, we're still expecting a lot of melting to occur with the initial transition from rain to snow. This will be most prevalent over roadways and other darker surfaces, while snow will accumulate better over grass, plants, etc. Even so, this could have its own impacts. First, melting snow on roadways could easily lead to slushy, slick travel conditions. Despite the lack of initial accumulation, the combination of limited visibility in heavier precip and slushy roads will make travel hazardous. Next, the snow we're expecting should be on the heavier and wetter side of things. As such, expect some damage to leafy trees and other plants. Tree branches could come down from the added weight, and damage to power lines and the potential for power outages should be noted as well. Moving into Wednesday, temperatures will come up a bit during the day as precip continues across the area. Latest forecast has high temperatures reaching into the 40s over the plains, though that may drop a few degrees depending on how heavy precip is at the surface. Regardless, expecting an afternoon switch from solely snow to a rain/snow mix, though snow will become the dominate precip mode quickly again once the sun starts to set. Not much change to the forecasted snow totals with this latest update. Heaviest amounts will be over the southeast mountains, Teller County, and the Palmer Divide, with some areas expected to receive over a foot by Weds Night. That being said, with the melting we're expecting with this system, those amounts will not be on the ground at the same time. Even so, impact-wise, still expecting a heavy wet snow along with potential tree/power lines damage, as well as slushy roads. As such, have upgraded Teller and northern El Paso to Winter Storm Warnings. Given the lesser impacts expected elsewhere, left the Advisories as they were for now, but may need to look at upgrading the peaks of the southeast mountains later in the day, assuming QPF doesn't come down with incoming model runs. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... Issued at 1239 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 Not much change to the long-term forecast at this time. The area will dry out Weds Night into Thursday as the upper trough pushes east of us. With cold air still in place and fewer clouds, Wednesday Night will be cold. Sub-freezing temps are expected across the CWA, with a Freeze Watch in place for the eastern plains. Breezy northwest flow sets in aloft on Thursday as an upper ridge builds over the western CONUS. Highs will climb into the 60s to low- 70s over most of our area, with drier conditions setting in. Temperatures will continue to warm as we head into next weekend, though enough moisture and lighter winds should keep us free of any widespread fire weather concerns. Another shortwave is expected to pass close to our region around Saturday, sending another cold front onto the plains and bringing temps back towards seasonal normals. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1152 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 Active period expected across all of the TAF sites, with rain and snow along with reduced vis, coinciding with MVFR and IFR ceilings occurring. Have observed drizzle or light rain begin to take shape across the Pikes Peak region at the start of the period, mainly affecting COS at this time. This will likely continue for the remainder of the afternoon, with rain remaining the only precip type at this time. Additional showery development occurs later this afternoon, with this likely moving across PUB and with ALS staying mainly dry. While the risk of thunderstorms looks low this afternoon, did maintain the PROB30 at PUB. Will continue to monitor the need for any mention of thunder today, as again, chances are low. The MVFR ceilings in place at PUB and COS will persist, with COS observing lower IFR ceilings at times. Steadier rain settles in later this evening, though may be rather light at times. Ceilings don't really improve for COS and PUB, with additional downward trends likely this evening and into the overnight hours. ALS remains dry for most of the night and even into towards the end of the period, with VFR conditions continuing. Does look like there is a low chance for a rain snow mix late tonight, but confidence is low. Higher chances for showers returns for ALS right at the end of the period. Primarily rain will continue for PUB later tonight, though snow may mix in at times. COS should see a switchover to all snow around midnight tonight, with snow then continuing through the period. IFR ceilings will likely continue for both COS and PUB through the end of the period and will monitor for periods of even lower ceilings. A period of gusty winds will occur at all sites this afternoon with lighter winds then expected through the period. The exception will be at COS when a wind shift to the north occurs later tonight, and then with wind speeds and gusts increasing through Wednesday morning. && .PUB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ058- 060-063-076. Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ059. Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ068. Winter Weather Advisory until midnight MDT Wednesday night for COZ072-074-078-079-087. Winter Storm Warning until midnight MDT Wednesday night for COZ073-075-080>082. Freeze Watch from late Wednesday night through Thursday morning for COZ083>089-093>099. Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ084. && SHORT TERM...GARBEROGLIO LONG TERM...GARBEROGLIO AVIATION...RODRIGUEZ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pueblo CO 1241 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 COZ058>089-093>099-060645- 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- 1241 AM MDT Tue May 5 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central...east central...south central and southeast Colorado. .DAY ONE...Tonight A wintry mix of weather will spread across our area through Wednesday evening. The peaks of the mountains will get accumulating snow throughout, while the lower elevations start as rain and switch to snow when temperatures drop. Expect a heavy, wet snow, with highest amounts over the peaks of the southeast mountains, as well as Teller and northern El Paso Counties. Some of these areas may receive 8 to 12 inches or more of total accumulation. However, much of the initial snowfall will melt, so actual measurements will likely not reflect this. For impacts, roads could turn slushy and slick very quickly, leading to hazardous travel conditions. This will be most prevalent from late Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, accumulating snow may cause damage to tree branches and power lines. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Precipitation will move out of our area late Wednesday Night into Thursday. Cold air will remain in place with sub-freezing temperatures expected across the area. Precautions should be taken to protect sensitive vegetation and exposed plumbing. A few light snow showers will be possible over the Central Mountains Thursday through Sunday. A few thunderstorms may be possible on Saturday afternoon and evening on the Plains. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather conditions that meet reporting criteria for spotters will be possible over portions of the region. GARBEROGLIO/GARBEROGLIO
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
There was 3.8 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 9.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 4.7 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.0 inches of snow measured.
There was 3.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 4.5 inches of snow measured.
There was 8.0 inches of snow measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, May 2026
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: 1338784, 1338785, 1338786, 1338787, 1338788, 1338791, 1338792, 1338789, 1338790.