Rare May snowstorm could impact this weekend’s Rockies series

It’s a spring tradition unlike any other; the New York Mets come to town and Denver gets hit with some apocalyptic weather.

Last year New York’s National League club was forced into a double-header against the Colorado Rockies when snow-covered Coors Field in mid-April. The following day, the teams played in mid-40-degree temperature. That’s not the coldest or snowiest situation the clubs have bumped into. On April 18, 2013, the two played the third coldest game in Rockies history, a 28-degree first pitch which also made it one of the five coldest in recorded MLB history.

The 2013 contest was played after a snowstorm dumped up to 5 inches of powder in parts of the metro area. This forced Dick Monfort, Dinger and other Rockies staff to take to the field and shovel off the heavy spring snow.

The Rockies and Mets could be in for a similar situation this weekend. Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder say it’s too early to tell exactly when or how much snow could fall, but they’re already alerting folks to be ready. Today, NWS’ website details that 6 to 18 inches of snow accumulation is possible above 7,000 feet from midnight Friday through noon Saturday. Meanwhile, the metro is likely to experience a rain and snow mix that changes over into snow. The experts say the warm ground temperature should melt any snow that falls, but a freeze could come Saturday and Sunday nights.

The concerns for the Rockies’ series will be cold and wet. It’s unlikely we see the scenes of almost 10 years ago with the field covered in piles of snow as players literally warmed up. Still, there’s a chance for snow.

Chris Bianchi from 9News Denver says low-impact slushy snow is what Denver should expect, with those above 6,500 feet getting 3 or more inches. But Bianchi, like the NWS, warns there’s an outside chance that this will be Denver’s biggest May snowstorm in over 40 years.

The Rockies and Mets are slated to play Friday and Saturday nights and then again Sunday morning. Highs on Friday and Saturday are hovering around 50 degrees with lows in the 30s. Sunday should be warm and sunny.

❄ Impactful snowstorm incoming! ❄

A heavy, wet snow will fall on Friday & Saturday with roughly 3-6" in the Denver metro & around 2 feet near the Continental Divide. Considering leaf out has occurred, downed trees/branches & power outages will be a significant threat. #COwx pic.twitter.com/cEUN3tA09s

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) May 18, 2022

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