Up to 10 inches more is possible in Denver starting Friday

DENVER – Denver's snow totals are set to pile up even more as another round of early-season snow accumulations is in store for the metro Friday into early Saturday morning, with forecasters saying up to 10 inches more snow is possible.

“We will have a break between these snow dumps as the next batch of snow arrives tonight,” said Denver7 meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. “It looks like we'll see the snow increase in intensity as the day goes on Friday – up to a foot in Denver, if not more, west of the metro into the ski resorts will open early for the season .”

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Boulder, a winter storm warning is in effect for the entire Denver metro area beginning at 5 a.m. Friday through at least noon Saturday for “heavy, wet snow.”

The winter storm warning for Denver has been upgraded from a winter storm warning.

NWS boulders

Of particular concern will be commuters traveling on the roads on Friday evening.

“Roads covered in snow and ice make travel dangerous and can make travel very difficult or impossible. Travel could be very difficult,” the NWS wrote.

Ahead of Friday's additional snowfall, several roads in the Colorado plains were already closed Thursday, including both directions of I-70 from Denver to the Kansas state line. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on Thursday urged motorists to be aware of additional possible road closures.

“Treacherous, persistently adverse winter conditions are expected across the eastern Plains and southeastern Colorado. Motorists are urged to avoid traveling east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 76 to the New Mexico and Kansas state lines,” CDOT said in a news release.

John Lorme, CDOT's director of maintenance and operations, said he expects possible “long-term closures.”

“It may look like the storm will move away later this afternoon, but the next round is expected to be worse than what we have already seen,” Lorme said. “Motorists should be prepared for long-term closures and avoid driving in the hardest hit areas of the state for the duration of the storm.”

“Multiple snowfalls will continue to occur in the area through Saturday morning. The strongest impacts are expected throughout the period over the Palmer Divide through the Limon and I-70 corridor of the Eastern Plains, with difficult, if not impossible, travel conditions,” NWS forecasters wrote.

Winter storm warnings are also in effect for Colorado Springs and much of the state further south and through the Eastern Plains, including I-70.

CDOT

While Fort Collins was not under a winter weather alert as of early Thursday afternoon, the NWS added a winter weather advisory for portions of Weld and Morgan counties, including Greeley and Fort Morgan, where between 1 and 8 inches of snow was possible through Saturday. wrote the NWS.

As of Thursday morning, Northern Colorado — including Fort Collins, Greeley and Fort Morgan — was not under a winter weather alert. These multiple snowfalls this week will likely push Denver above its normal snow total for the entire month, which is 7.3 inches for November.

WINTER WEATHER SCHEDULE IN COLORADO

“By this afternoon, skies over the Denver metro area will begin to clear, with just a few lingering storms remaining,” Hidalgo said.

Denver7's Futurecast models can be seen on Thursday around 2 p.m. There will be a few more storms before they ease into the early evening hours. Snow is expected to start falling again in Denver late Thursday evening – around 10-11 p.m

“On Friday we will see the snow increasing in intensity as the day progresses,” Hidalgo said. “For high school football games, expect temperatures to be above 30 degrees at 5 p.m., so temperatures will drop to near freezing by 9 p.m. as the snow continues.”

Denver7 will be tracking all possible school closures for Friday, which can be checked at any time at this link.

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As light snowfall returns for the metro Friday morning, moderate snowfall will increase for the evening commute, with the heaviest snowfall expected along I-25 and higher elevation roads, particularly along the Palmer Divide and southern foothills , the NWS added.

On Saturday morning it starts to snow and the sky clears.

There is a chance of snow in the mountains early in the day on Saturday before skies clear as temperatures continue to remain above 20°C. Hidalgo said he expects more sunshine on Sunday with high temperatures around 30 degrees.

NWS boulders

WEEKEND FORECAST FOR DENVER

After morning snow showers subside, high temperatures in Denver will reach the low 40s on Saturday before better weather arrives on Sunday, where mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 52 degrees will help melt the snow.

Monday's weather forecast in Denver will bring a return to mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-50s. Rain is expected in Denver on Tuesday, but high temperatures around 54 degrees.

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