Denver woke up to a sloppy spring surprise this morning, May 6, as light snow spread across the metro area and turned streets into a wet, slushy mess. Visibility is dipping in the heavier bursts, temperatures are parked right around freezing, and quick, slushy accumulations are clinging to grass, sidewalks, and tree limbs. The result is a slog of a morning drive, with a slower-than-normal commute expected as steadier snow tapers by mid-day.
What To Expect Wednesday
Snow is expected to keep at it through mid- to late-morning before easing off this afternoon, with highs struggling to reach about 40°F and gusts up to 20 mph possible. The National Weather Service is calling for another 1–3 inches of new snow on cold surfaces and notes that a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for parts of the I‑25 corridor through 3 PM MDT. A Freeze Warning is posted from 8 PM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday, with lows dipping into the low‑20s in some low‑lying spots. That combination raises the odds that heavy, wet snow will cling to trees and power lines and could trigger scattered outages.
Commute Notes
Drivers can expect slick patches on bridges and ramps during the morning commute and slow travel where the heavier bursts of snow cut visibility. If you are heading out, plan on extra time, ease up on the gas in slushy stretches, and keep an emergency kit handy. Officials also recommend keeping phones and other devices charged and basic supplies in your car. For the latest road conditions and closures, call 511 or visit CoTrip.
Late‑Week Warmup
Clearing skies tonight will let temperatures drop for the hard freeze, but the cold snap will be brief. A quick warmup is on deck, with sunny conditions and a jump into the mid‑60s on Thursday and low‑70s by Friday, then highs pushing into the 80s early next week. Roads will melt out quickly on paved surfaces, but gardeners should still protect tender plants and drain sprinkler lines before 8 PM Wednesday.
From Hoodline
We first flagged this late‑season flip in our earlier Hoodline coverage; for background, see our heavy May snowstorm report. This post updates warnings and timing as crews respond to wet snow on trees and power lines.
