Colorado foothills and the Front Range are preparing for a spring storm expected later this week that could bring significant snow and rain [1, 3].
The timing of the storm creates a specific risk for the regional power grid. Because the weather is arriving in May, trees have already begun to grow leaves, which can catch heavy, wet snow and collapse onto power lines [2, 5].
Forecasts for the northern Front Range mountains and foothills indicate accumulations of one to two feet [1, 2]. Some reports from the National Weather Service suggest that certain areas of Colorado could see up to 24 inches of snow [4].
In the Denver metro area, the Colorado Sun reports a forecast of up to nine inches of wet snow [3]. However, other reports indicate the potential for higher accumulations across the broader region [4].
Xcel Energy and local fire crews have placed personnel on standby to respond to outages and emergency calls [1, 2]. The utility company is focusing on readiness for the potential of falling branches causing widespread electrical failures [2].
Despite the risk of outages, the storm is part of a seasonal pattern that may provide necessary precipitation to drought-stricken areas of the state [5]. Officials are monitoring the system as it moves toward the mountains and the Denver metro area [3].
“Colorado foothills and the Front Range are preparing for a spring storm expected later this week.”
This weather event highlights the volatility of spring transitions in the U.S. West. While the precipitation may aid long-term drought recovery, the 'late' timing of the snow increases the likelihood of infrastructure damage compared to mid-winter storms, as the biological cycle of vegetation creates additional hazards for the power grid.
