Heavy Mountain Snow, Travel Impacts and Power Outages Targeting Colorado Including Denver, Palmer Divide and El Paso County Monday Through Wednesday With Rain to Snow Changeover Likely
COLORADO — An impactful storm system is growing in probability for Colorado from Monday through Wednesday, May 4 to 6, 2026. Heavy mountain snow, travel impacts, and possible power outages are expected along and east of the Continental Divide. A cold front Monday night and a western trough Tuesday will phase together late Tuesday into Wednesday, creating the most organized and significant impact window of the event.
Heavy Snow Certain for Mountains and Foothills With Travel Impacts Likely Statewide
Heavy snow in the mountains and foothills along and east of the Continental Divide is the highest confidence element of this storm. Travel impacts are described as likely and power outages are possible across affected zones.
Rainfall at lower elevations is expected initially before a rain to snow changeover occurs sometime Tuesday. The exact timing and location of that changeover remains the primary forecast uncertainty heading into the event.
Palmer Divide and El Paso County Lead Accumulating Wet Snow Probability
Palmer Divide and El Paso County currently carry the highest probability for accumulating wet snow as the system progresses through Tuesday and Wednesday. Denver metro and the I-25 corridor sit at medium probability, entirely dependent on when the changeover occurs.
May’s warmer ground temperatures create real uncertainty about how much snow actually sticks on roads even if accumulating snow falls. That changeover timing is the most critical detail forecasters are watching closely.
Cold Front and Western Trough Phasing Together Drives Peak Impacts Tuesday Night
The cold front arriving Monday night and the western trough moving in Tuesday are expected to phase together late Tuesday into Wednesday. This phasing is when storm organization and precipitation intensity reach their peak across the entire region.
Residents across the Front Range, Denver, Palmer Divide, El Paso County, and the eastern plains should prepare for the most impactful and disruptive conditions during this Tuesday night into Wednesday morning window. Stay with NapervilleLocal.com for the latest weather updates and local forecast coverage.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.