DENVER — Snow returns to the mountains tonight and continues into Thursday as the first of two systems moves through. Conditions will steadily deteriorate overnight, with snow becoming more widespread by Thursday morning. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the mountains through Friday morning, and travel in the high country will become slick at times, especially overnight and during the day Thursday.
Thursday morning and afternoon, snow is expected to spread out of the mountains and into the foothills, plains, and metro area. The southern foothills are under a Winter Weather Advisory, while the Palmer Divide is under a Winter Storm Watch from Thursday through Friday morning due to the potential for heavier snowfall. Snowfall amounts are still somewhat uncertain, but the best chance for more impactful snow looks to be south of Denver, particularly along the southern Front Range and Palmer Divide. We are expecting 1-3 inches for metro Denver over the 48 hour period.
Snow may come in waves Thursday and continue at times into Thursday night and early Friday as a second system moves through. Some areas, especially farther north and east, could see lighter amounts if drier air sneaks in, but most locations should see at least some accumulation. Snow should taper off from west to east by late Friday morning as drier air moves back in.
Temperatures will drop sharply behind the storm, making late Thursday and Friday feel much colder than what we’ve seen recently. Highs on Friday will struggle to warm up, and any untreated roads could remain slick due to the colder conditions. It will feel like a return to mid-winter after today’s mild weather.
Looking ahead, conditions improve heading into the weekend. Snow ends, skies clear, and temperatures begin to moderate, with a warming trend setting up Saturday and Sunday. Dry weather is expected to prevail through early next week, with highs climbing back above normal and a much quieter stretch of weather to follow.
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