Winter Storm Warning: what's happening and what it means
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," said meteorologist Joel Gratz of OpenSnow, a website devoted to Colorado snowfall.
CANADA —
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," said meteorologist Joel Gratz of OpenSnow, a website devoted to Colorado snowfall. Winter Storm Warning has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Canada.
Key facts
- 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," said meteorologist Joel Gratz of OpenSnow, a website devoted to Colorado snowfall.
- A storm brewing Thursday is expected to bring inches of fresh snow to Colorado’s mountains and douse Denver with afternoon showers.
- 5 inches in Breckenridge and Winter Park, with up to 9 inches possible.
- A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m.
- Friday, though thunderstorms are only expected between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
What we know
Going deeper, a storm brewing Thursday is expected to bring inches of fresh snow to Colorado’s mountains and douse Denver with afternoon showers.
On the substance, 5 inches in Breckenridge and Winter Park, with up to 9 inches possible.
Beyond the headlines, a winter weather advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m.
More precisely, Friday, though thunderstorms are only expected between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
It is worth noting that after months of a snow drought, the forecast calls for snow up to two feet in the highest elevations of the Colorado Rockies as May begins.
By the numbers
At this stage, Parts of Colorado haven't had consecutive months of above-normal precipitation since 2024.
On a related note, Additional snow could be 6-24 inches between April 28 – May 7, Gratz said.
Going deeper, Arapahoe Basin and Copper Mountain are still open and plan to close on Sunday, May 3.
On the substance, the heaviest snow is expected to fall in the Front Range mountains south of Interstate 70, forecasters said.
The wider context
On a related note, the weather pattern during late June and July could offer several rounds of thunderstorms, which would be very beneficial.
Going deeper, 4 inches on Cameron Pass, with up to 9 inches possible.
On the substance, 7 inches in Bailey, Conifer and Eldora, with up to 10 inches possible.
Beyond the headlines, 8 inches on Kenosha Pass, with up to 12 inches possible.
More precisely, 9 inches in Georgetown and at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, with up to 11 inches possible.
The bottom line
- A storm brewing Thursday is expected to bring inches of fresh snow to Colorado’s mountains and douse Denver with afternoon showers.
- A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m.
- After months of a snow drought, the forecast calls for snow up to two feet in the highest elevations of the Colorado Rockies as May begins.
- Searches spiking right now: Winter Storm Warning: Up to 35 Inches of Snow and 50 MPH Gusts Threaten Both I-25 and I-70 Across Colorado Through Friday, Rainfall warning, winter storm warning as system moves over northeastern Ontario, Winter Storm Warning Issued as Up to 22 Inches of Snow and Freezing Temperatures Approach, Heavy Snow Warning As 6 Inches To Hit Colorado, New Mexico: ‘Hazardous’.
