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 significant snowfall, with forecasts predicting between 3 inches and up to a foot of snow in the surrounding areas, particularly in the southern foothills.
A winter storm warning will also be in effect from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday for the Front Range mountains, the Medicine Bow Range, and the mountains of Summit County and the Mosquito Range. Localized snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour can be expected under the heaviest snow bands, with Denver anticipating around 2 inches of snow from the storm.
Friday morning is expected to see the bulk of the impacts as steady snow develops across the I-25 corridor. Highs on Friday for this corridor will be in the mid to upper 30s. Commuters should prepare for slick conditions in the morning regardless of the snowfall amounts.
Context of the Current Weather
Denver has experienced a notably dry winter, with only 13.4 inches of snowfall recorded between September and February. The last measurable snowfall in the Mile High City occurred on January 25, marking a significant gap in winter weather. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 96% chance of snow from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, which could provide some relief as Denver enters ‘extreme’ drought conditions.
Stacey Donaldson, a meteorologist, noted, “Overall, it looks like light amounts of snowfall … should be pretty slushy here for our area; it’s just been so warm lately.” This statement reflects the unusual warmth leading up to the storm, which has contributed to the dry conditions.
As the storm approaches, the drought is expected to continue at least through this month, raising concerns about water supply and agricultural impacts in the region. The situation remains dynamic, and details remain unconfirmed as the storm progresses.
