DENVER — Our mid-April heatwave that featured three straight days of record warm temperatures across the eastern plains will come to an abrupt end on Friday.
Big changes are in store for our weather as a strong cold front begins to push into Colorado from the west. This front will replace the record heat that has held across the eastern plains with cold, rain and even snow on Friday.
A Denver7 Weather Action Day has been issued for Friday due to the combination of much colder temperatures and a chilly mix of rain and snow.
Winter Weather Advisories are in place over most of the Colorado high country for Friday through early Saturday morning. Snowfall will be in the 4 to 8 inch range for most areas, although some heavy snow squalls, complete with lightning and thunder, may bump some local amounts higher..
In Denver and across northeastern Colorado, it will turn much colder with highs only in the 40s Friday with a mix of rain and snow for the Denver area. Western and southern suburbs - elevations about 6,000 feet will likely pick up a few inches of wet, slushy snow Friday afternoon and evening.
Downtown Denver and communities closer to 5,000 elevation will have a rain and snow mix that will mostly melt upon impact. Driving conditions Friday afternoon and evening will be mainly wet for the metro area, but slushy in the foothills and over the Palmer Divide.
Saturday will be a cool day with snow showers in the mountains and lingering rain showers for Denver and the eastern plains. Highs will be in the 30s in the mountains and upper 40s to low 50s for lower elevations.
Sunday will be mostly sunny and warmer with highs in the 60s for Denver and the eastern plains and in the 40s in the mountains.
Monday and Tuesday will be warm and dry again with 70s on the plains and 50s in the mountains.
Wind gusts 30-45 mph and low relative humidity as low as 10% will lead to critical fire weather conditions this afternoon/evening. Please avoid outdoor burning and doing any activities that may create sparks. Relief Friday as cool and wet weather will make a timely return. #COwx pic.twitter.com/url8l3Zzrf
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 13, 2023
The mountains will pick up more snow with 3 to 5 inches expected Thursday night and Friday along with colder temperatures in the 30s to low 40s.
Saturday will stay cool and showery with highs in the lower 50s in the Denver area.
Warmer and drier weather will return Sunday into early next week. Highs will be in the upper 60s on Sunday and in the 70s Monday through Wednesday.
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