Driving in the snow in Colorado: Tips for safe winter driving
Colorado roads can become treacherous quickly during a snowstorm. We’ve gathered some winter driving tips from AAA Exchange to help keep you safe.
- The heaviest snow is expected in the mountains May 6, with 1 to 2 feet possible in some areas.
- Rainfall totals in the foothills and plains will range from 1 to 3.5 inches.
A slow-moving storm system is lumbering into Colorado on May 5, bringing much-needed rain and snow with the forecast calling for 1 inch or more of rain for Fort Collins and 1 to 2 feet of snow for the northern mountains.
Here’s a look at the latest spring storm, according to the National Weather Service:
Timing of rain, snow will impact mountain travel in Colorado
- May 5: Snow (7,500 feet and higher) and showers develop in the afternoon before a lull in the storm overnight. Mountain travel on Interstate 70, U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado Highway 7 could be impacted in the evening by heavy, wet snow.
- May 6: Heaviest snow/rain mix for the mountains with 1 to 2 feet expected in Rocky Mountain National Park, Medicine Bow Range, Mosquito Range, Indian Peaks and higher elevations of Summit County. Expect mountain travel impacts in the afternoon and at night. Rain for the foothills, Interstate 25 corridor and Eastern Plains expected from noon to midnight.
- May 7: Snow at higher elevations and rain elsewhere continues but decreases as the day goes on. Mountain travel impacts may remain at pass level.
Rainfall totals for Colorado locations May 5-7
- Fort Collins: 1-1.5 inches
- Red Feather Lakes: 1.5 inches
- Estes Park: 2-2.5 inches
- Greeley: 1-1.5 inches
- Boulder: 1.5-2 inches
- Denver: 1.5-2 inches
- Castle Rock: 1.5-2 inches
- Colorado Springs: 3-3.5 inches
Snowfall totals for Colorado mountains May 5-7
- Red Feather Lakes: 3-4 inches
- Estes Park: 1-2 inches
- Cameron Pass: 6-8 inches
- Berthoud Pass: 18-24 inches
- Eisenhower Tunnel: 12-18 inches
- Loveland Pass: 12-18 inches
- Hoosier Pass: 8-12 inches
- Kenosha Pass: 6-8 inches
When to expect the heaviest rain in Fort Collins
- May 5: 80% chance of rain with showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 66, with east wind 7 to 17 mph becoming south-southeast in the afternoon and gusting to 28 mph. Low around 45.
- May 6: 100% chance of rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 9 a.m. and 90% chance at night. High near 52. East-northeast wind 8 to 14 mph, gusting to 22 mph. Low around 39.
- May 7: 80% chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. High near 59. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east-southeast in the afternoon and gusting to 16 mph. Low around 38.
(This story has been updated to add a photo gallery.)
