Colorado Weather
Colorado weather: heavy rain (with some snow) this weekend
In our last post, we teased a possible storm system for this upcoming weekend. The potential for heavy precipitation (mainly rain with some snow) looks like it's still on the table. Let's get right into this thing. To start, we will be mild Wednesday, Thursday and for part of Friday. A stout ridge, leading to dry and warm weather, will hang out overhead during this time. Upper-Level Storm Pattern Wednesday AfternoonYou can already start to see the pattern evolving out west as early as Wednesda
Denver Weather
April storm's snowfall totals 3rd largest in a decade, what created this jet enhanced setup for deeper snow
As discussed in yesterday's snowfall forecast, we anticipated snowbanding to deliver heavy snowfall to parts of the Front Range, and that did indeed end up being the case. The recap: Here are totals through 7am: Here are other totals, through mid-Saturday that have arrived: The History: For Denver officially, the 6am report is 6.3" which makes this the 3rd biggest April snow storm in a decade. In the past ten years, the highest storm totals for DIA are April 16/17th, 2016 at 12.1" and April
Denver Forecast
Cold front, upslope, and an active jet will combine to provide Denver area chance for accumulating snow Friday into Saturday
A bit more chilly and unsettled weather to work through here to end the week and start the weekend with what looks like a decent chance for much of the northern Front Range and urban corridor to pick up a bit of snow and slush later today and overnight into Saturday. The greatest snowfall totals will favor higher terrain to the west of I-25 as you might expect. Here there is a Winter Weather Advisory issued which will go into effect at 6 pm this evening and expire at 9 am Saturday morning. Any
Denver Forecast
Another windy storm with some front range moisture chances
As of noon Monday, a slow-moving upper level low pressure was situated over central Utah. On the front side, we're beginning to see some surface low pressure develop as well. This storm is bringing a lot of wind with it this afternoon, along with some widespread fire danger. As the system pivots east tonight into Tuesday, there will be a quick shot at moisture. As of now, short and mid-range data seems to have a bit of disagreement as to how much moisture we'll be able to squeeze out... let's di
Weather5280 Insider
The State of the Atmosphere: Is the remainder of April set to be a dud for active weather?
Had ourselves a big ol' windbag this weekend, huh!? It could have been a good one (snow maker) if we had this system to our south rather than north - parts of Wyoming had blizzard conditions just about the entire weekend. Regardless, I think we're all happy to kick most of those winds to the curb this week. We'll be under the influence of a weak area of low pressure to our south the next few days, leading to slightly below normal temps to start the work week, gradually warming into next weeken
Denver Weather
Denver and Front Range wind event continues, subsides before eclipse; clouds and showers become an issue for Monday's Eclipse
The wind event continues across the state, particularly the Northern Front Range and the Eastern Plains; wind warnings continue through noon and 6 pm, respectively. As the wind event calms, we focus on cloud cover for Monday's partial eclipse viewing. First, the wind. Here are the Sunday morning observations from the weather service - some of which topped 90 mph! Source: https://x.com/NWSBoulder/status/1776987187495522627 Image: The wind threat continues through the day but does calm progres
High Wind Warning
Incoming system will be exceptionally windy; High Wind Warning issued for Northeast Colorado Sat and Sun
The fire danger remains high across all of eastern Colorado this afternoon as gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low humidity levels remain primed into this evening. Here's a look at current fire risk across the CONUS: And multiple fires across the region, including the Vision Hills Fire northeast of Pueblo which as forced some evacuations this afternoon. > UPDATE: As 1:50 pm Approximately 25 homes have been asked to evacuate due to the Vision Hills Fire. Residents half mile north of 1945
Denver Forecast
Colorado weather: Warm and windy to end the week, turning unsettled for the weekend
We are tracking the next storm system that will bring rain, snow, and wind to the state by the weekend, but ahead of that... warm temperatures (and yes, high fire danger)! Denver finally hit the 70°F on Wednesday (71°F officially) marking the latest first 70°F day in over 40 years for the city. We should have little issue making it back above 70°F today and tomorrow before changes arrive Friday night into Saturday. Here is the latest hourly planner for the Denver area: While temperatures wi
Denver Forecast
Denver will try for 70°F this weekend and when the next storm system is set to arrive
Oh what a start to the year it's been across the region. Thanks to this month's monster snow , the Denver area is boasting a huge surplus for accumulated precipitation year to date. The city (DIA) has picked up 3.39" since January 1, which is more than double the 1.54" we see on average through March 27th, and and the second wettest start to th
Snowfall Forecast
Spring storm will bring wind, rain, snow, and thunderstorms to Denver area, Eastern Colorado on Sunday
A quick-moving but pretty juiced storm system will swing through the state Sunday and bring many weather conditions to the area as it does. First, a timeline. After another mild day today, look for highs to cool about 10°F on Sunday (or perhaps more, depending on the speed of the cold front) and then to dip considerably Sunday night behind the passage of an arctic front set to move through during the afternoon hours on Sunday. The timeline below for Denver shows pretty good precipitation pro
Colorado Snowpack
Colorado snowpack above average as we approach average peak date
As many communities continue to dig out after last week's monster snow , let's take a quick look at snowpack across the state and see what kind of impact the storm had on numbers across the South Platte Basin. The statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) now sits at 108% of the median for the date, and 90% of the median peak snowpack which is ab
Snowfall Forecast
Significant snowstorm on the way for Denver area, FEET of snow likely for the foothills; Latest snowfall forecast & discussion
We're just hours away from the onset of a significant Colorado snowstorm set to bury the Front Range foothills in feet of snow, and possibly bringing upwards of 12" of snow to the Denver metro area. Impacts will be greatest at higher elevations west of Denver and Boulder and across the western Palmer Divide, but the cities are looking at a significant snow event as well, and travel from late tonight through Thursday will not be advised, and in all likelihood impossible in some locations as dee
Snowfall Forecast
Winter Storm Warnings posted for Denver area, snow storm moves into Colorado on Wednesday night, latest snowfall forecast
Our biggest storm since the Pi Day Blizzard of March 14, 2021 looks to be on track to arrive Wednesday night into Thursday... and fittingly, Thursday is the 3-year anniversary of that storm. This storm looks to begin impacting us Wednesday afternoon, potentially lasting into Friday morning south of the Palmer Divide. Let's get right into the details of this thing! Snowfall and timing Wednesday 9AM - 3PM Should be a fine start to Wednesday mo
Snowfall Forecast
Forecast update: Heavy snow, plentiful moisture looks increasingly likely for Denver, Front Range of Colorado
We continue to track the potential for a wet, heavy snowfall across the region for the latter half of the week. Of course, there remains uncertainty around the details, and like every system, this one has some unique pros and cons going for it. Still, guidance is supportive of plentiful moisture across the region and likely some good accumulating snow for some of us. On several measures, this setu
Denver Forecast
Denver Weather: System brings rain and snow with temperatures dropping all of Tuesday
There's a system set to arrive in the metro areas overnight through Tuesday, meanwhile the mountains are cashing in on snow from that system Monday. Meanwhile, Denver hits the 60s with this wind Monday prior to see a downhill trend all day Tuesday. Starting with the hourly temperatures, you'll see that downhill slide all of Tuesday. Although Monday is warm, that wind has a bit of a bite to it. While temperatures cool off Tuesday, more of that wind chill will be a factor. I certainly hope fires
Colorado Weather
Colorado weather: Wind, fire, and snow through Tuesday
After a very active start to February, we've really toned things down. We are now starting to see the atmosphere charge up again ahead of our next storm system set to move through Monday and Tuesday. Ahead of it, wind and fire danger concerns take us through the rest of the weekend, and on the back half, mountain snow developing Monday night, leading to a chance at some front range snow by Tuesday morning. Red Flag Warnings Today (pink) and Fire Weather Watches for Sunday (tan)Above is the curr
Denver Forecast
Colorado weather: Another mild afternoon in the forecast ahead of rain and snow showers across the state
Our mini-heatwave continues today as temperatures will again climb into the mid 60s along the Front Range ahead of a bit of change in the weather later today and for your Thursday. Temperatures on Tuesday were similarly warm across the region, with more than a handful of daily record highs being set across Colorado and the central plains states. This animation shows those locations that set records, or came close. For Denver, the high of 66°F on Tuesday was well shy of the record for the date
Weather5280 Insider
Transitioning from El Niño to La Niña and what that could mean for spring
We've been locked into El Niño conditions since last spring. Sea surface temperature anomalies have been much above average in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, but have recently really started to cool off. The El Niño peaked in late December and early January, and continues to weaken. Here is the equatorial sea surface temperature anomaly animation, during the past 90 days. This graphic represents the depth (0-450 meters) and east (120 degrees E) to west ( 80 degrees west) across the equatorial P
Snowfall Forecast
Colorado weather: Quick chance of snow Friday could bring accumulation to Denver, Front Range
We continue to track the week-end storm, which will bring pockets of good accumulating snow to the northern mountain to kick off the weekend, and it looks increasingly like a few bands of snow will develop along the hills Friday evening – with perhaps a few communities along the urban corridor picking up a quick 1 to 3" of snow under those bands. Here's the hourly planner for the Denver area, you can see it's a relatively brief window Friday afternoon/evening for that snow to occur, but a fair
Colorado Weather
After an active start to February, do we have any more left in the tank?
Back-to-back weekends in early February brought wintry weather to Colorado. Do we see any more on the way as we look forward? Our prospects don't look all that exciting, but the passage of a broken upper-level jet streak will provide the mountains with a chance of snow through this weekend, and might we manage a bit at lower elevations? Here is a look at the current basin-level snowpack, these are within a normal range but will decrease a bit with a calmer pattern for the next bit. What about
Colorado Snow
Saturday storm update: Impressive snow band overnight; how much snow to expect today
As we discussed last night , this system has had a few tricks up its sleeve. A snow band last night delivered the goods, and oh-how-close it was to finally delivering Fort Collins a boom! While Fort Collins did manage some accumulating snow as convective showers peeled off the hills, the main band setup just to the east of the city, extending from the northwest Denver suburbs up through G
Colorado Weather
Colorado weather: Next winter storm(s) is on the way, will deliver snow to much of the state
We're tracking more accumulating snow for much of the state Friday and into the weekend as more wet weather moves our way to end the week and our unsettled pattern continues. For the urban corridor that means an uptick in snow chances Friday, then again Friday night and Saturday before odds drop off Saturday night. Temperatures will cool into the low 40s Friday, and hover around freezing on Saturday with that off and on snowfall. The forecast remains a bit messy, even as we could see some fo
Denver Weather
Colorado weather: Tracking two systems to impact us with rain, snow, wind, and a cool down
A warm Tuesday is underway, occasionally breezy, but have you seen the additional cloud cover where you are? That's the next system, increasing moisture ahead of putting down heavy snow in parts of the mountains Wednesday and then rain and snow to parts of the plains. There is also a weekend system to put on your radar. Let's start with the near term. Here's an hourly planner for Denver going out 72 hours. Wednesday has the potential to be a touch warmer than Tuesday, but we see the chance for
Snowfall Totals
Colorado snow storm delivers heavy wet snow, plentiful moisture; A quick look ahead
A quick post this evening to share precipitation and snowfall totals from our storm yesterday. It was a wet one, really by any measure, but particularly for the first days of February. Denver International Airport picked up 5.5" of snow, we had forecast 2 - 6" for the city. The storm also delivered 0.76" of precipitation, which is nearly double the monthly average for the month of 0.41". Wow! AND DIA was some surprise (surprise) not all that representative of what we saw over the core of the c
Colorado Weather
Colorado weather: Who sees rain, who sees snow, and who sees nothing at all
We've been a bit quiet, but there hasn't been much to report on with regard to the upcoming system either. Most of what we outlined on Monday remains true, though the paths to a big time snow at lower elevations are certainly far fewer this morning vs what we were seeing in guidance a few days ago. But so it goes. The storm track has been relatively stabl