Denver Braces for Biggest Snowfall of Season

Denver is under a Winter Storm Watch as two cold fronts are set to bring significant snowfall from Tuesday evening into Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service anticipates 3-9 inches of snow for the Denver metro area, with higher amounts possible in the foothills and Palmer Divide. This snow is expected to be heavy and wet, potentially causing substantial damage to trees that have already bloomed and increasing the risk of power outages in rural areas.

Today, May 4, 2026, Denver experienced mild temperatures in the low 70s with a chance of showers and storms. Tonight, a cold front will lower temperatures into the mid to upper 30s, with rain showers expected, potentially mixing with or becoming snow in northern areas early Tuesday. Snowfall is predicted to begin in Denver after 12 p.m. on Tuesday, but most of it is expected to melt on contact due to temperatures remaining above freezing. Slush may develop in the foothills and southern metro areas by Tuesday evening.

The heaviest and steadiest snow is forecast to fall Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, coinciding with the coldest temperatures, with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. This period is expected to cause major travel disruptions by Wednesday morning. The snow should taper off around lunch on Wednesday. Following the storm, sub-freezing temperatures are expected Thursday morning, posing a risk to sensitive plants, before temperatures rise significantly into the 60s and 70s by Thursday afternoon and Friday.