A snowstorm has hit parts of Colorado. The system swept through the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains the day before and was moving down Wednesday afternoon. Some cities at higher elevations received about 2 feet (almost 61 centimeters) of snow.
A winter storm warning remained in effect, with another 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of snow expected in Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver and Castle Rock, the National Weather Service said.
Travelers in Denver were dealing with slippery roads. Several accidents were reported by the State Patrol, but there were no reports of serious injuries. Forecasters warned that snow-covered tree branches could snap. “Avoid parking under trees,” the Denver weather service posted.
The weather service said parts of the region could continue to see snow and light rain on Thursday, but temperatures will rise significantly, reaching the mid-70s Fahrenheit (about 24 Celsius) in Denver by the weekend.
The weather service said the town of Estes Park, near Rocky Mountain National Park, saw 22 to more than 30 inches (56 to more than 76 centimeters) of snow.
Estes Park resident Kathy Ross said she got enough snow in her yard.
“The view of the mountains is just spectacular, as long as you like the color white,” said Ross, who spent Wednesday morning cleaning the sidewalks outside the used race bookshop she manages.
In Boulder, some places got 30 centimeters of snow and officials warned of downed trees and branches.
Denver saw one of the heaviest snowstorms of the season. The city's international airport recorded 5.8 inches (nearly 15 centimeters) of snow after early flight delays and cancellations, the weather service said.
Temperatures dropped to below zero degrees Celsius Wednesday morning, prompting Denver to activate its cold weather shelter plan. Warmer weather is expected today.
The storm didn't stop thousands of people from showing up for an outdoor David Guetta concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Tuesday night, even though organizers pushed back the start time by an hour. Fans wrapped themselves in fur-lined winter coats and hoodies as they lined up to get in.
The Colorado Rockies postponed two games against the New York Mets, but that happens more often than not during the spring baseball season in Denver, including four times in 2015, according to MLB.
Snow in May is not uncommon in Colorado and is even more common in Wyoming's capital, Cheyenne, which sits almost 305 feet higher than Denver and is cooler and windier, often piling snow on the rocks.
Denver Public Schools, the largest K-12 district in the state, and others on Colorado's Front Range canceled classes Wednesday. Families pulled gloves and snow boots out of seasonal storage to make the most of a rare May snow day.
On Denver's west side, neighborhood parents and children gathered at Nettie Moore Playground, a popular sledding spot where a hill slopes down into a dry canyon. Fern Garstka, 8, joined in the fun after a hard morning of work.
"My parents made me go outside and shake the snow off the trees," Garstka said.
Andy Flinn said the wet, dense snow wasn't ideal for sledding, but his two young sons were happy to get in a few runs after an unusually dry winter.
"Every little bit helps. Whether it's snow or rain, we'll handle it," Flinn said.
April was warmer and drier than usual, with Denver losing an inch of rain (2.5 centimeters) and 2.8 inches of snow (7 centimeters) last month.
For some farmers, who have been feeling the pressure from Colorado's ongoing drought, the snow was an opportunity.
Adam Jones of Unsung Family Farms in Longmont planted carrot seeds just a few days ago to take advantage of the rainfall.
“You can’t get even distribution with a sprinkler,” he told KMGH-TV. “There’s nothing like planting seeds with snow or water.”
Jones moved the more delicate crops inside and used a heater to keep them warm.
Unstable weather extended beyond the Rocky Mountains. Severe thunderstorms, some capable of producing tornadoes, were possible across the Southeast on Wednesday, with the strongest storms expected from Arkansas to Georgia.
