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Winter weather advisory issued for Palmer Divide and foothills ahead of cold front arriving Thursday night

Snow squalls in the mountains, high winds on the plains and accumulating snow on the Palmer Divide are all possible with a weather system arriving in Colorado Thursday evening.

Another cold front is expected to move through Colorado Thursday into Friday morning, with the forecast calling for snow in the mountains, the foothills and the Palmer Divide.

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DENVER – Another cold front is expected to move into Colorado Thursday evening, likely bringing with it high winds, a chance for snow squalls in the mountains and accumulating snow across the Palmer Divide.

A winter weather advisory was issued for the Palmer Divide – the east-west ridge south and east of Castle Rock – from 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday. The National Weather Service says 2-4 inches of snow is possible for the area with this storm.

A Winter Weather Advisory was added for the Palmer Divide from 8pm tonight through 8am Friday. 2-4" of snow are expected. Tomorrow morning's commute may be impacted especially across I-25. The mountains and southern foothills will also see light to moderate snow. #COwx pic.twitter.com/JETl93T6a0
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 27, 2023

The system will cross the Wyoming border Thursday afternoon and plunge south pretty rapidly by evening, according to the NWS forecast discussion.

Snow squalls – quick-developing bands of snow most associated with brief whiteout conditions and dangerous travel conditions – are possible in the mountains between 6 and 9 p.m., the forecast discussion reads.

Mild today, taste of winter tonight. Starts with a blast of colder north winds early this evening. Snow, heavy at times, in the mountains with slick/hazardous travel. Rain showers/t-storms changing to snow showers plains, but light if any accumulation. #COwx pic.twitter.com/6dhqUZh0Lx
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 27, 2023

Some accumulation is possible along the Palmer Divide, which could lead to a slushy morning commute. Along the I-25 corridor, rain showers are expected, with some turning to snow showers overnight. Minimal to no accumulation is expected in Denver and across the plains, according to the NWS.

The front will bring strong winds at times, with wind gusts could peak between 40 and 60 mph across much of the plains, according to the NWS.

🌬️And regarding that blast of wind expected early this evening, most areas on the plains should see gusts of 40 to near 60 mph for a brief time. Areas of blowing dust possible northeast plains (Sterling - Akron & points east) due to lack of recent precip. #COwx pic.twitter.com/RQn7pZOUXK
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) April 27, 2023

Friday will feature colder-than-normal temperatures before it warms up again this weekend. Above-average temps and scattered showers are possible in the mountains and foothills Sunday and early next week, according to the NWS.

While snow totals from the spring storm that blew through Colorado Tuesday into Wednesday fell short of the forecast in some areas, parts of the foothills still saw 7-10 inches.

In southwest Colorado, Ouray saw more than a foot of snow.