What You Need to Know About Saturday’s Snowstorm and Frigid Temperatures
An arctic blast is set to hit Colorado this weekend, bringing with it dangerously cold temperatures and snow accumulation across the state. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday have all been designated as Pinpoint Weather Alert Days, with temperatures expected to drop into the teens during the day and plunge below zero overnight.
Along with the cold, snow is expected, with the metro area accumulating a few inches on Saturday and another one or two inches late Sunday into Monday. The combination of slick roads, snow, and frigid temperatures will make for hazardous driving conditions.
Winter weather advisories are in effect from late Friday evening through Saturday, with some areas facing potentially dangerous conditions.
Timing of the Storm
Friday will begin as a relatively calm and mild day, but changes will arrive by the evening. The day will start with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-40s, but as clouds increase, snow will begin in the late evening and continue into the overnight hours.
While the storm won’t last long, snow will taper off by late Saturday afternoon in the metro area. However, locations like Boulder, Estes Park, and the western side of the metro could see snow continue until around midnight. A light band of snow will return late Sunday night, potentially bringing an additional inch or two, tapering off by Monday morning.
Snow Totals
While the snowstorm is not expected to produce huge totals, the frigid temperatures will make even small accumulations problematic, especially on the roads. As of Friday morning, the following snow totals are predicted through Monday night:
- Boulder and Estes Park: 7-10 inches
- Colorado Springs: 10 inches
- Denver International Airport: 3-5 inches
- Downtown Denver: 3-6 inches
- Eastern Plains: Trace to 2 inches
- Foothills: 4-10 inches
- High country: 5-12 inches
- West of the metro: 5-7 inches
Impacts of the Cold and Snow
The main impact of this storm will be the slick roads due to the snow sticking to surfaces thanks to below-freezing temperatures. Saturday’s high is expected to be just 17 degrees, with an overnight low of -2 degrees, making for icy conditions on Sunday morning as well.
The snow is expected to be light and fluffy, typical of Colorado’s winter weather, and will likely cause less slush than the heavier snowfalls the state has seen recently. However, there may be some melting when the first snowflakes fall due to Friday’s milder temperatures, which could create slick spots as temperatures drop into the teens Friday night.
Be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, and make sure to take extra precautions while traveling this weekend.
