Winter-like weather stormed into the Colorado Mountains on May Day bringing rain, snow and high winds to Denver, according to the National Weather Service.
The heavy spring snowstorm led to several accidents that closed major roads and one person died. The Colorado State Patrol said the fatal accident involved nine vehicles and up to forty cars were involved in other minor accidents in and around Denver.
The storm has dropped up to 5 inches of snow in Douglas and Boulder County and around an inch in parts of Denver. A few of the Colorado ski resorts are still open. The National Weather Service is expecting several inches of fresh snow to accumulate in the mountains.
As the system moves away on Friday, the snow will turn increasingly to rain accompanied by strong winds. Sunnier, warmer weather is forecast for the weekend. The moisture is welcome relief as Denver has had its third driest March on record followed by an exceptionally dry April, and there is a danger of wildfires.
The month of May can be a roller coaster ride for weather with everything from snowstorms, thunder and ice to warm weather with tornadoes.
