DENVER, CO – A powerful spring storm hammered the Front Range on May 5-6, 2026, delivering the most significant May snowfall in decades for parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The heavy, wet snow triggered widespread power outages and forced major interstate closures.
Record-Breaking Totals Across The Front Range
The storm delivered historic numbers for early May. Denver International Airport recorded 6.2 inches of snow, marking the city’s biggest May snowstorm since 2003. In Boulder, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported 11.0 inches, their heaviest May event in 13 years.
Higher elevations saw even more extreme totals:
- Rocky Mountain National Park: Nearly 3 feet (36 inches) of snow.
- Estes Park: Between 22 and 33.9 inches.
- Cheyenne, WY: 11.6 inches—the city’s heaviest snowfall of the entire season.
Travel Disruptions and Power Outages
The weight of the wet snow took a toll on local infrastructure. According to PowerOutage.com, at least 50,000 customers lost power, with the majority of outages concentrated in the Denver metro area.
Travel was severely impacted north of the border, where authorities shut down Interstate 80 in both directions from Laramie to Cheyenne on Tuesday. While downtown Denver roads remained mostly wet, hazardous conditions were reported on Interstate 25 between Denver and Fort Collins.
How Rare Is May Snow?
While May snow isn’t unheard of in the “Mile High City,” this storm was far above average. Both Denver and Cheyenne typically average only 1 to 3 inches for the entire month. This 2026 event was a significant boost for a region that has been suffering through a major “snow drought” and record-low snowpack levels since mid-January.
In a display of local resilience, the Colorado Rockies grounds crew managed to clear Coors Field in time for their scheduled game against the Mets on Tuesday night, despite the heavy accumulation.
Looking Ahead
The NWS indicates that while this storm provides much-needed moisture, it likely won’t be the last time these cities see flakes this month. Denver’s record for the latest measurable snow stands at June 2, set back in 1951.
