Weather

Memorial Day will start sunny and hot but a chance of afternoon showers could dampen holiday picnics and other outdoor activities.

Strong to severe storms are expected to form east of Denver International Airport after 3 p.m. Thursday, according to the weather service. 

The following Colorado snow totals have been reported by the National Weather Service for May 18, 2026.

Heavy snow forecast for Colorado’s mountains on Monday will make travel difficult, with more than a foot of fresh snowfall expected.

Thunderstorms will douse Colorado’s Eastern Plains through and 8 p.m. Sunday, with hail up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter expected.

Colorado’s mountains are on track to see more than a foot of fresh snowfall this week as thunderstorms and severe weather continue in lower elevations.

Severe thunderstorms could bring tornadoes, large hail and high winds to northeast Colorado on Saturday afternoon and evening, forecasters said.

The Front Range and Eastern Plains could see severe storms with a chance of snow in metro Denver, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Several days of near-record heat and summer sun are expected to roast Denver this week, with temperature highs climbing into the 80s.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder is developing AI tools that enable forecasters to predict severe weather threats more accurately and farther in advance.