FORT COLLINS, COLORADO — A late spring snowstorm blew over parts of Colorado on Wednesday, closing schools, delaying flights and creating muddy conditions for commuters.
The storm that Swept through the Rocky Mountains In the high plains on Tuesday, it is expected to weaken before ending Wednesday afternoon, but not before leaving some heavy, wet snow at higher elevations.
The National Weather Service said a winter storm warning was in effect through the afternoon, with 5 to 10 centimeters of additional snow expected in Fort Collins, Boulder, the Denver metro area and Castle Rock.
“We expect roads to be slippery during heavy snow showers, but for lower elevations, any accumulations on roads will melt quickly as the snow showers subside,” the weather service office in Denver posted online Wednesday.
The small mountain town of Jamestown, Colorado, near Boulder, had recorded 16.3 inches (41.4 cm) of snow as of early Wednesday, the weather service said. Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park, reported 17 inches (43 cm) of snow as of Tuesday night.
City officials in Boulder, which had about 6 inches (15 cm) of snow as of the end of Tuesday, advised residents of fallen trees and branches and encouraged them to avoid being under or near those with heavy snow accumulation.
Denver was facing what could be its biggest snowfall of the season. Denver International Airport, which saw some delays and cancellations early Wednesday, recorded 3.7 inches (9.3 centimeters) of snow by 2 a.m., the weather service said.
Temperatures also dropped. Denver, which had temperatures in the low 30s Wednesday morning, activated its cold weather shelter plan.
The Meteorological Service said warm temperatures are expected to return on Thursday.
The state’s largest school district, Denver Public Schools, and other major district and colleges in the area canceled classes Wednesday due to inclement weather.
The ominous forecast did not stop thousands from attending David Guetta’s show at the Red Rocks Theater on Tuesday night, although organizers moved up the start time by an hour in the hope of getting fans home before the worst of the storm.
Concertgoers wore winter coats and beanies as they waited in line to enter the outdoor venue.
The storm caused the Colorado Rockies To reschedule two matches Against the New York Mets. But it happens most often during Denver’s spring baseball season, including four times in 2015, according to MLB.
May snow is not unheard of in Colorado. They are most common in Wyoming’s capital Cheyenne, which is about 1,000 feet (300 m) higher than Denver and cooler year-round. Wyoming is also windier than Colorado, pushing snow into drifts that must be re-plowed if winds persist.
April was warmer than normal and less rainy, with Denver losing an inch of rain (2.5 cm) and 2.8 inches of snow (7 cm) last month compared to normal.
For some farmers, they felt pressure from Colorado Persistent dehydrationThe snow was an opportunity.
Adam Jones, who runs Unsung Family Farms in Longmont, told KMGH-TV he planted the carrot seeds days earlier to take advantage of the rainfall.
“You can’t get an even distribution using drip lines or sprinklers,” he said. “There’s nothing better than starting seeds with ice or water.”
Jones had to move the more weather-sensitive crops indoors with a heater to keep them warm.
Unstable weather isn’t limited to the Rocky Mountains.
Severe thunderstorms with a risk of tornadoes are possible across the Southeast on Wednesday.
Some of the strongest storms were expected to move from Arkansas through Georgia.
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McCormack reported from Concord, New Hampshire. AP reporter Jamie Ding contributed from Los Angeles.