In spite of a dry, warm May on most of the Western Slope, the San Juans and Ouray saw plentiful moisture and relatively cool temperatures the third week of the month. High mountains emerged with 5-10 inches of snow, along with a nice brown dirt layer underneath, which coated houses and cars. Unfortunately, the dirt accelerated the snowmelt.

In Ouray, 1.75 inches of rain fell from May 17-22. May’s normal is 1.76; the month totaled 2.70. Amazingly, large parts of the Front Range received 6-8 inch...