Weekend snowstorm to precede blast of frigid air in Colorado Rockies, Denver
Storm chaser Reed Timmer is in Colorado where he got caught up in a traffic jam with a winter storm warning in effect in Silver Plume, Colorado. An avalanche watch has also been issued.
A storm will continue to unleash accumulating snowfall and travel disruptions across Colorado by Sunday before brutal, record-challenging cold arrives.
While the fresh powder is great news for the ski resorts and winter sports enthusiasts, the snow is creating slippery travel for anyone hitting the slopes or venturing out for other planned activities.
A storm is combining with a fresh push of Arctic air to bring snow to much of Colorado this weekend, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson.
Following nuisance snow showers in the Colorado Rockies to end the week, snow will pick up in intensity across the state into Saturday night.
Road conditions will further deteriorate across Interstate 25 and I-70 during this time.
While the snow may initially melt on roadways due to recent mild conditions, Adamson expects untreated road surfaces to quickly become snowpacked and slippery as temperatures plummet.
Winds will be blustery across the Front Range of the Rockies, which will lead to further reductions in visibility on the roadways.
“By the time the snow winds down on Sunday morning, 3-6 inches may accumulate around Denver, with higher amounts over a foot in the mountains,” Adamson said.
The I-80 corridor through Cheyenne, Wyoming, is also expected to become treacherous with heavy snow, slippery spots and reduced visibility.
Cheyenne is expected to pick up around 6 inches of snow, which would make this the city’s largest snow event so far this year.
Denver and the rest of the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies will catch a break in the snow for a time on Sunday before snowfall increases again later in the day and at night.
Frigid air, however, will also take hold of the region.
“Behind the storm, highs may be 30-35 degrees Fahrenheit below normal on Sunday and Monday, in the teens and lower 20s,” Adamson said.
Low temperature records may be in jeopardy of being broken in Cheyenne and Denver early next week.
People spending any length of time outdoors will need to take the necessary precautions to lessen the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
Any outdoor pets or livestock should be provided with proper shelter.
“Temperatures will slowly moderate Tuesday and especially Wednesday of next week, but readings will still be a bit below normal for early March,” Adamson said.
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