Winter Storm Bears Down On Colorado: 15 Inches Of Snow Possible

DENVER, CO — Up to 15 inches of snow could dump over parts of Colorado — including up to 10 inches in Douglas County and the western and southern suburbs of Denver — as much of the state was under a winter storm warning, winter weather advisory or hazardous weather outlook Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Wednesday morning as heavy snow was expected to fall Wednesday evening over the southern Front Range Foothills, Boulder, Castle Rock, and the western suburbs of Denver. The warning takes effect at 6 p.m. and lasts until midday Thursday.

Total snow accumulations of between 5 and 10 inches were possible, with up to 15 inches in the foothills. Snow-covered roads could make travel dangerous.

"Travel will be especially difficult from late this evening through the Thursday morning rush hour in the foothills west and southwest of Denver," the weather service said.

Heavy snow was also expected in Teller County/Rampart Range above 7,500 feet, as well as Pikes Peak. Total snow of 6 to 12 inches was possible, along with winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

Between 5 and 10 inches of patchy, blowing snow and 35 mph gusts were also possible for northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range below 7,500 feet.

Meanwhile, a winter weather advisory was issued for Denver, Byers, Limon and southern Lincoln County. The advisory takes effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday and lasts through noon Thursday.

Areas affected include Highlands Ranch, Denver, Punkin Center, Hugo, Karval, Aurora, Bennett, Matheson, Leader, Limon, Littleton, Parker, Deer Trail, Byers, Agate, Forder, Kutch, Denver International Airport and Brighton.

Snow was expected to spread into the mountains Wednesday morning, with scattered rain showers developing over the plains Wednesday afternoon.

As temperatures cool Wednesday evening, widespread snow was expected to develop over the plains. Rain will change to snow Wednesday evening and will become heavy at times overnight, forecasters said. Light snow will continue into Thursday morning.

"The snow is expected to be heavy at times over the east slopes of the Front Range and south of Denver," the weather service said.

The agency emphasized it wasn't certain how much — or where, exactly— snow will fall in Denver. Snow of between 2 and 8 inches were possible, with the heaviest accumulations west of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70.

Drivers should expect slushy roads and poor visibility.

"Slushy or snow covered roads will make travel hazardous, especially late tonight and early Thursday morning," the weather service said.

In areas below 6,000 feet, temperatures will stay in the lower 30s overnight. Forecasters expect the Thursday morning commute to be affected, especially west and south of Denver.

In the foothills, roads could be slushy Wednesday evening, then snow-packed or icy Thursday morning.

The winter storm warning applies to:

• North Douglas County below 6,000 feet
• Denver
• West Adams and Arapahoe counties
• East Broomfield County-Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties-North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet
• North Lincoln County-Southeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet
• South Lincoln County

A hazardous weather outlook, meanwhile, warned of another round of snow beginning in the mountains Wednesday and moving over the plains overnight.

"Accumulations will be limited by warm temperatures at elevations below 5,000 feet, but a period of heavy snow is likely over the foothills and in areas south of Denver," the weather service said.

Valleys west of the Front Range and the northeast plains could see 1 to 3 inches of snow.

In areas under the hazardous weather outlook, widespread snow was likely to continue through Thursday morning, followed by a gradual decrease in precipitation from north to south across the region Thursday afternoon. Snow will be heavier over the southern Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide.

Roads will be slushy and slick for the Thursday morning commute, with I-25 from Denver south to Colorado Springs, and I-70 from Denver west into the foothills, and east to Limon most affected.

Dry and warm weather will return Friday and remain warm through the weekend, with high temperatures climbing back into the mid-60s by Sunday.

Another storm system was expected to hit the region early next week.

The hazardous weather outlook applies to:

• Jackson County below 9,000 feet
• West Jackson and West Grand counties above 9,000 feet
• Grand and Summit Counties below 9,000 feet
• South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder counties above 9,000 feet
• South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park counties above 9,000 feet
• Larimer and Boulder counties between 6,000 and 9,000 feet
• Jefferson and West Douglas counties above 6,000 feet/Gilpin/Clear
• Creek/Northeast Park Counties below 9,000 feet
• Central and Southeast Park County
• Larimer County below 6,000 feet/Northwest Weld County
• Boulder and Jefferson counties below 6,000 feet/West Broomfield County
• North Douglas County below 6,000 feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County
• Elbert/Central and East Douglas counties above 6,000 feet
• Northeast Weld County
• Central and South Weld County
• Morgan County
• Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties
• North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/North Lincoln County
• Southeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/South Lincoln County
• Logan County
• Washington County
• Sedgwick County
• Phillips County