Winter Weather Advisory in Effect
A winter weather advisory will go into effect for the next 24 hours starting midnight Thursday for the High Mountain Parks, the Front Range Foothills, the Park Range mountains, and the Palmer Divide. This advisory comes as Denver prepares for a significant winter storm.
Forecasted Snowfall
Between 3 inches and up to a foot of snow are forecast for the area, with the heaviest amounts falling in the southern foothills. Localized snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour can be expected under the heaviest showers and snow bands. For Denver, between a trace to 2 inches of snow is anticipated.
Impact on Commuters
Friday morning will see the bulk of the impacts as steady snow develops across the I-25 corridor. Commuters should prepare for slick conditions in the morning regardless of the snowfall amounts. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 96% chance of snow from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
Temperature Outlook
Highs on Friday for the I-25 corridor will be in the mid to upper 30s. Following the storm, milder and drier weather is expected to return on Saturday with a high of 50 degrees.
Context of the Drought
This winter storm arrives as Denver enters ‘extreme’ drought conditions. The city has seen only 13.4 inches of snowfall between September and February, and the last measurable snowfall was recorded on January 25, marking a significant dry spell.
Expert Insights
Stacey Donaldson noted, “Overall, it looks like light amounts of snowfall … should be pretty slushy here for our area; it’s just been so warm lately.” There’s a strong chance Denver will finally get some snow at the end of the week, but the drought is expected to continue at least through this month.
As the storm approaches, residents are encouraged to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact impacts of the snowfall, but preparations for winter weather are advisable.
