Denver in early May (Estes Park: 2013, live, activities)

[shanv3]

Is it a good time to visit with kids ? I read its going to be rainy and wet but however also read that its beautiful throughout the year. Can we still have the spring feel at that time around Denver and surrounding mountains?? TIA.

[Mike from back east]

Most likely is that it will be fine, but the weather in early May could be quite cool and/or some snow, but from my 11 years in COLO SPGS it will be very nice in early May. Any prediction made for two months in the future is worthless, do not expect rain.

[SkyDog77]

Denver’s average high in May is 73 and low is 44. We average 6 rainy days in May. It’s colder in the mountains and can still snow. I think May is a great time to visit.

[Katarina Witt]

May is Denver's wettest month. Most of the moisture falls as rain in May. However, there can be many dry, warm, sunny days in May as well.
Welcome To Denver’s Wettest Month! « CBS Denver

[katharsis]

May is my favorite month in the Denver area (it's September in the mountains) because so many trees are blooming, and the weather is usually very pleasant. However, I don't have any links or facts to back this up, but it seems to me that we have snow on Mothers Day at least half the time. (I've lived here since 1986.) March is usually the snowiest month, but here it is March 15th, and I don't think we haven't had a bit of snow yet this month. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.)

BUT . . . this has been the driest winter I can EVER remember in 30 years, so perhaps it will remain dry. I hope not, though, because we definitely need the moisture. (No offense meant -- I hope you will come and have a GREAT time!)

[davebarnes]

We are skipping May this year.
Going straight to June thanks to DSM.
Enjoy you June visit. It will be great.

[Phil P]

Hmm, it can be hit or miss. Sometimes it'll snow though I think that's getting rarer and rarer. Sometimes it'll actually get overcast and rain (not a high chance of this though). Sometimes it's beautiful in the 70s. It might still get colder at night though. Things will be leafing out, but not fully leaved out. Wildflowers and greenery are better in June, but there's more flowering trees in May.

The mountains are in general crap during may. Muddy, dirty snow, not really green yet, can't do summer or winter activities. Probably the worst month along with November.

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

We are skipping May this year.
Going straight to June thanks to DSM.
Enjoy you June visit. It will be great.

Dave - that is made up for my the leap month:

https://www.timeanddate.com/date/jewish-leap-year.html

[Gorges]

If you watched the latest season of Top Chef which was filmed in CO in early-to-mid May last year, then you saw that every outdoor event staged in the Denver area was accompanied by thunder/hail storms and snow (Estes Park). IMO the biggest problem with May/June in this area is the prevalence of afternoon storms. The first half of the days are usually fine, so do your hiking early.

[shanv3]

Thanks all. We are not planning for the mountains or snow, just a change of weather. Just some zoo, aquarium and parks around the city would take most of the time. Is there anywhere we can see spring flowers or meadows/trails??