Denver breaks 75-year-old heat record on Wednesday, but first snowfall is expected Thursday

DENVER – The Mile High City saw record-breaking heat Wednesday but is in for quite the change over the next 24 hours, as a system is moving in that is expected to bring snow to the metro area Thursday night.

Denver reached a high temperature of 80 degrees Wednesday afternoon, breaking the previous record for Nov. 16 of 77 degrees, which was set way back in 1941.

But a cold front and area of low pressure is expected to cool the city down significantly over the next 24 hours.

Temperatures in Denver are expected to dip into the 30s overnight into Thursday, and the forecast high on Thursday is just 46 degrees. Rain is expected to move into the area in the early afternoon and could change to snow by the evening as temperatures continue to drop.

Though up to an inch or two of snow is expected in the metro area, it’s unlikely to stick around long – if at all – because ground temperatures remain well above freezing after a long spell of warm, dry weather.

Most of western Colorado and the Rockies are under winter storm watches through late Thursday, while the eastern half of the state is under fire weather warnings because of the high winds expected to blow in ahead of and with the storm.

Between 5 and 10 inches of snow are expected in the mountains, with locally higher amounts in some places.

So while you might be wearing shorts and a t-shirt Wednesday, be sure to get your thermals and winter coats ready for Thursday, because you’re going to need them.

And if you’re planning to be on the road Thursday evening, be sure your car is ready with good tires, some extra provisions and blankets – just in case.

Should it snow in Denver, we’d narrowly avoid breaking the record for the latest measurable first snowfall. The current record was set when it finally snowed Nov. 21, 1934.

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And don’t forget to stay posted to Denver7’s weather page for up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and current conditions.