DENVER – A band of heavy snow fell across part of the Denver metro area overnight, dumping more than 7 inches in many areas, and light snow is expected to continue into the afternoon before bitterly cold temperatures set in.
The heaviest snow fell along a convergence line at rates of up to 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. By 8 a.m., that band had decreased but will stick around, putting down light snow into the afternoon.
As of 6:30 a.m., areas closer to downtown Denver, Westminster, Boulder, and Louisville had all reported more than 7 inches of snow, including about 9 inches near Central Park in Denver and about 11 in the Commerce City area.
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Denver International Airport only reported 2.1 inches of snow, however, showing where the heaviest band hit and missed.
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The NWS downgraded the metro area from a winter storm warning to a winter weather advisory and cut a few hours off the back ends of them. The advisories will now expire at 8 p.m. and another 1-2 inches of snow could fall in some areas between 11 a.m. and the end of the event.
Winter Storm Warnings for the Front Range I-25 Corridor and Foothills have been downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory. Light snow continues this afternoon and early evening with another 1-2 inches, then ends by mid evening. #COwx pic.twitter.com/1HfUlHVYzQ
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 2, 2022
High temperatures will only reach the teens Wednesday, and the foothills and mountains will be in the single digits.
But Wednesday night into Thursday morning, temperatures are expected to fall below zero in most places, and in areas where the clouds clear, could fall to 10 to 20 degrees below zero, according to the NWS. By Thursday morning, there could be wind chills of -25 on the plains and -35 in the mountains.
🥶Coldest night of the year ahead! 🥶
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 2, 2022
Temperatures will drop well below zero:
** -5 to -15F over most of the plains
** -20 to -35F in the coldest mountain valleys!
Bundle up if headed outdoors, and bring your pets inside! #COwx pic.twitter.com/NYvidZjqhH
Nearly all the school districts in the metro area and northern Colorado are closed Wednesday, and most roads are snowpacked – especially off the major highways.
You can always watch 24/7 weather, radar and news updates on the free Denver7+ app on your TV.