After a long absence, snow will arrive overnight tonight in the Denver area and along the front range. For some, this is a welcome departure from the hot summer temperatures that we have experienced. Others aren’t so excited about the arrival of the cold and fluffy white stuff. Regardless of your feelings about it, snow will be here and we will actually be receiving quite a bit of it!

As always, the forecast will be broken down into a few different parts and they are as follows-

1. National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning
2. Storm Timing
3. Accumulation Totals

 

National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 3 PM MDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Some secondary roads and bridges
  and overpasses may become snow or slush covered. Plan on slow
  and hazardous travel conditions, including during the morning
  commute on Monday.
* WHERE...Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver and Castle Rock.
* WHEN...Midnight to 3 PM Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Scattered power outages may occur due to
  heavy wet snow accumulating on trees still bearing their
  leaves.

Storm Timing

Cold air is now funneling into Colorado following the passage of a recent cold front and rain will be arriving in the metro area late this evening. Current winds are from the northeast and are helping to bring some moisture into the area, but will transition to northerly winds as time passes. Rain will continue until shortly after midnight when it will transition to snow and will remain as snow through Monday afternoon. The most intense snowfall should occur immediately after the transition to snow and mid-morning from approximately 7-10am. So, give yourself some additional time for your morning commute because it is looking to be a sloppy one!

Accumulation Totals

This is shaping up to be a weak upslope storm which means that accumulation totals will be highest in the western parts of the metro area. Accumulations will be between 4-8″ with the slightly higher amounts falling near Boulder and east of the Denver area. While 4-8″ is a fairly substantial amount of snow, the soil and ground temperature is warm enough to melt most of it once it hits the ground. However, neighborhoods and side roads will probably have some light snow accumulation and slush. This will be a moisture laden and heavy snow that will have the possibility of breaking tree branches that have leaves.

As always, let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you for reading!

-Andrew