Southern Colorado is facing its best chance for widespread spring snow on Wednesday as a colder storm system moves through the state, bringing winter alerts, slushy roads, strong wind gusts, and a sharp drop in temperatures.
KOAA 5 meteorologist Alex O’Brien said the storm is bringing another round of much-needed moisture into Colorado, but unlike last week’s system, this one is cold enough to support more snow in more places.
O’Brien said winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are already in place across parts of southern Colorado, with the timing of those alerts varying by county and elevation.
“We’ve got another dose of much needed moisture moving into Colorado right now,” O’Brien said, adding that the storm is looking colder than the previous one.
Winter Alerts Stretch Across Southern Colorado
O’Brien explained that winter weather advisories were shown in purple on the KOAA forecast map, while winter storm warnings, which are a step above advisories, were shown in pink.
Those alerts will continue through the rest of the evening and into Wednesday afternoon for many locations, though the exact end time depends on where people live.
For Teller County, O’Brien said the alert is expected to last until midnight Wednesday night. For northern El Paso County and northern Fremont County, alerts are set to end at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In the southern mountain zones, alerts will continue until midnight Wednesday night, while parts of the eastern plains will remain under alerts until 3 p.m. Wednesday.
That staggered timing shows how uneven spring snow can be in Colorado. A storm can be winding down in one area while still producing snow in the mountains or along higher terrain only a short drive away.
O’Brien said the most significant period of snow is expected Wednesday morning in southern Colorado.
Snow Line Drops By Wednesday Morning
As the storm moved in, O’Brien said some of the most concentrated moisture was already showing up in the Wet Mountains region and down toward La Veta Pass.
She said the area had seen rain, a wintry mix, snow, and even some thunderstorm activity, though the snow line was still fairly high at first, around 7,000 feet.
That will change as colder air arrives.
O’Brien said she expects the snow line to drop overnight, with a mix of rain and snow showers continuing across the region through the evening. Those showers will be spotty at first, and she said some places may even see a dry stretch between roughly midnight and 3 a.m.
Then the more important part of the storm arrives Wednesday morning.
“Our surge of snow and really cold temperatures comes in Wednesday morning,” O’Brien said.
By the morning hours, she expects the snow line to fall to around 5,000 feet in elevation, which could bring a wintry mix or slushy snowfall to a good portion of the plains.
That is the part of the forecast that could catch some people off guard. In early May, many lower-elevation communities may expect rain from a spring system, but this storm has enough cold air to drag snow much farther down.
Slushy Roads For Some, Snow-Covered Roads For Others
O’Brien said the impact on roads will vary widely depending on elevation, time of day, and exact location.
For areas along I-25, especially places not under a winter warning, she said the main issue may be wet or slushy roads rather than a full winter travel shutdown.
But for mountain areas and northern El Paso County, O’Brien said Wednesday could bring more meaningful impacts, especially during the morning hours.
“In our mountains and northern El Paso County, this is going to be more of an impact to your Wednesday,” she said, noting that snow-covered roads will be possible, particularly early in the day.
During the afternoon, road temperatures should rise enough to help many roads become wet or slushy instead of fully snow-covered, though snow showers may continue into Wednesday afternoon.
O’Brien said showers should taper off by Wednesday evening.
This is a classic Colorado spring storm problem. The calendar says May, but morning snow can still create slow travel, especially in higher terrain, shaded roads, and places where heavy, wet snow falls quickly before road surfaces warm.
Snow Totals Will Depend On Elevation
O’Brien said expected snow amounts will be highly variable across the region.
Elevation will be the biggest factor, with higher locations more likely to see accumulating snow and travel impacts, while lower spots may deal with a mix of rain, slush, and brief wet snow.
She did not frame this as the same kind of storm for everyone. Instead, her forecast pointed to a divided setup: mountains and higher terrain get the more serious winter impact, while many lower-elevation communities see messy but more manageable conditions.
That difference matters for people planning Wednesday travel. Someone leaving a lower-elevation neighborhood with only wet pavement could still run into snow-covered roads a short distance away if they climb in elevation.
O’Brien’s forecast also suggests that the morning commute will likely be more difficult than the afternoon commute for many areas, since the colder air and heavier snow arrive early before roads have a chance to warm.
A Hard Freeze Follows The Snow
The storm will not only bring snow chances. It will also bring a sharp cold snap.
O’Brien said many areas will already see freezing temperatures overnight, then Wednesday afternoon highs will only reach the 30s and 40s.
After the storm clears, a hard freeze is expected Wednesday night as skies clear and temperatures drop into the teens and 20s.
A freeze warning is in place through Thursday at 8 a.m., according to O’Brien.
That may be just as important as the snow for gardeners, farmers, and anyone who has already started treating the season like late spring. Plants that made it through recent mild weather could be damaged if they are left exposed during the hard freeze.
This is one of the difficult things about spring in Colorado: the moisture is welcome, but the temperature swings can be rough. A storm can help with drought concerns or dry soil, then immediately create problems for travel and tender plants.
Quick Warm-Up Arrives Afterward
The cold will not last long.
O’Brien said Thursday afternoon looks much nicer, with temperatures returning to the 60s for many areas. Friday should also stay in the 60s, and the weekend may bring only isolated shower or thunderstorm chances, with those chances trending lower.
She said the current storm is expected to bring the best moisture of the week.
For Pueblo, O’Brien said temperatures could rebound into the 70s by Thursday after the hard freeze in the morning, with 70s and 80s possible beyond Wednesday.
Cañon City should also see a strong rebound, returning to the 60s on Thursday after Wednesday’s wintry mix.
Woodland Park, meanwhile, remains under a winter storm warning until Wednesday night, but O’Brien said snow melt should begin Thursday as temperatures improve.
That fast turnaround is very Colorado: winter alerts one day, melting snow and warmer weather the next.
Best Moisture Of The Week
O’Brien made clear that Wednesday’s storm is the main weather-maker for southern Colorado this week.
The region needs moisture, and this storm should deliver it, but it will come with enough cold air to create winter-like impacts, especially in the mountains, northern El Paso County, Teller County, and other higher-elevation areas.
For lower elevations, the forecast is less about deep snow and more about a messy mix, cold rain, slush, gusty winds, and a brief return to winter.
Still, the timing matters. The most significant snow is expected Wednesday morning, when people are trying to get to work, school, or appointments.
O’Brien’s message was not alarmist, but it was clear: southern Colorado should be ready for a colder, wetter, more wintry storm than the last one.
By Thursday, the region begins warming again, and by the weekend, the storm will mostly be remembered as a spring moisture boost with a short but sharp taste of winter attached.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
