A potent soggy storm that is intensifying has prompted the weather service to expand its winter storm warning area and increase forecast snowfall totals, with the brunt of the storm set to impact Colorado on May 5. Rain began turning to slush and snow the morning of May 5 in Fort Collins.

Early the morning of May 5, the weather service included much of the interstate corridor from the Wyoming border to near Colorado Springs, including Fort Collins and Denver, in a winter storm warning area.

It also affirmed the storm remained on track — centered on the foothills and mountains of Larimer and Boulder counties — while increasing snowfall totals for the Front Range foothills and urban corridor.

The heavy, wet snow is expected to impact travel, damage trees and down powerlines.

Timing and impacts of Colorado’s spring snowstorm

According to the National Weather Service:

• Mountains: Greatest travel impacts happen the afternoon of May 5 into the morning of May 6, when the heaviest snow is forecast.
• I-25 corridor: The night of May 5 into the morning of May 6 as snowfall increases, potentially impacting the morning commute. The night of May 6 will see a heavy freeze.