Strong storm hits central USA and expects “snow accumulations”

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have warned of “accumulated snow” in parts of Colorado as an early winter storm moves into the region this weekend.

Colorado has experienced above-average temperatures and dry conditions this week, but Friday is expected to be the last day of warmer temperatures. Fresh winds and low humidity are expected before the weekend storm – both factors that increase the risk of fires.

Temperatures will begin to drop over the weekend and snow is expected in some higher elevations, the NWS said.

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“The next storm arriving this weekend will bring significantly cooler and more unsettled weather to the region. Widespread rain and some thunderstorms are expected Saturday afternoon into Saturday night, with showers tapering off Sunday morning,” said a weather forecast from the NWS office in Boulder. “Several inches of snow are possible in the Front Range Mountains, mostly above 9,000 feet. Snow levels may briefly drop slightly lower than they were then Saturday night.”

Temperatures will drop sharply on Saturday and remain low until Sunday night, the forecast said.

Colorado's low temperatures are likely to be short-lived, as a six- to 10-day temperature forecast from the NWS Climate Prediction Center shows above-average temperatures expected from September 25-29.

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“A gradual warming is expected next week,” said the NWS Boulder weather forecast.

NWS Boulder also warned of the approaching storm on X (formerly Twitter) and shared in a post the expected rain and snow amounts for the entire forecast area. Up to 1.5 inches of rain are expected at lower elevations. Up to 12 inches of snow are expected at higher elevations, according to the snow forecast map.

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“A strong storm system will arrive this weekend, with widespread precipitation late Saturday. Most areas will see rain, but the mountains will see snow above 9,000 feet,” NWS Boulder wrote on X.

NWS meteorologist Kenley Bonner said Newsweek that snow is common at high elevations this time of year. The coming snow will be the first measurable snow of the season and the “mountains will be turning white,” Bonner said.

In addition to the hazardous weather forecast, the NWS office in Pueblo, Colorado, has issued a winter weather advisory for the western Mosquito Range, eastern Sawatch Range and eastern Lake County at elevations above 11,000 feet from noon Saturday local time through noon Sunday local time.

“Wet snow is expected. Total snow depth will be up to 9 inches. Wind gusts will reach up to 35 mph,” the warning said. “Be prepared for slippery road conditions at times. Hiking at higher elevations will be hazardous.”

The warning urged drivers to “slow down and exercise caution while driving.”

The United States has seen other snowfalls before, including several early-winter snowfalls that occurred in parts of California in late August and mid-September. The latest snow event brought snow to three national parks and several California cities.