DENVER – If you’re anything like the Denver Snow Twitter account, then you’re probably going through stages of excitement and anxiety. After all, Colorado’s weather is really just Mother Nature flipping a coin and then changing her mind at the last minute.
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Fortunately for all of us, we got a sneak peek of the winter season on Thursday as cold air raced southward and pushed temperatures below freezing after midnight. The sleet started early Thursday and then turned to snow across the Front Range.
Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson along with the National Weather Service in Boulder is calling for 2-3 inches of snow in the immediate vicinity of the Denver metro area Thursday.
When will the heavier snow hit us here in Denver? According to the latest models, that could happen by mid-morning or around noon Thursday, Nelson says.
The range for snowfall will vary depending on where you’re located, so take note:
The Front Range Urban Corridor and the Palmer Divide could get anywhere between 2 to 6 inches of snow. The Eastern Plains should expect somewhere from a trace of snow to 2 inches of accumulation, according to Nelson.
Live in the Foothills? You’re looking at anywhere between 4 to 8 inches of snow. And if you live in the mountains, oh boy – you’re going to get a nice dusting: Between 6 and 12 inches of fresh powder is expected by the time the storm is over.
But will it stick to the roads?
Snow is expected to begin before dawn, which will make roads wet in the metro and slushy in the mountains, but don’t get overconfident – make sure you give yourself extra time to get to work and be mindful of the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
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As the snow moves out on Thursday afternoon, bitter cold and wind will move back in as skies clear overnight into Friday. Denver’s forecast low is in the teens and could break the record low for Friday of 22 degrees, set in 1946.
But the chilly weather won’t stick around too long. Highs this weekend in Denver will be back into the 60s. Going to the Broncos game Sunday? Expect mostly sunny and mild weather at kickoff.
