5:55 p.m. update: Denver weather forecasts now predict up to 21 inches of snow could fall on the city this week and a good chance at least 12 inches will accumulate.
Denver International Airport is forecast to see 11 inches of snow with up to 20 inches of snow possible, according to the National Weather Service.
2:50 p.m. update: A Winter Storm warning has been issued for the Denver metro area and the Front Range foothills.
The warning will be in effect from noon Wednesday to 6 a.m. Friday as forecasters at the National Weather Service expect up to 18 inches of snow to fall in mainly Denver, Boulder and the western suburbs during a major snowstorm.
Winds will also pick up, with gusts of up to 35 mph possible.
The mountains and foothills of Jefferson, Boulder, Douglas, Gilpin, Summit, Larimer, Park, Jackson, Grand and Clear Creek counties are also in a Winter Storm warning for the same period for up to three feet of snow possible and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
2:17 p.m. update: The National Weather Service continues to issue warnings as the forecast for this week’s upslope snowstorm comes into shape.
“We are expecting FEET of snow across the foothills, with 8-16″ across most of the I-25 corridor,” NWS Boulder tweeted. “Be prepared for very difficult travel conditions, especially Thursday!”
The bulk of the storm arrives Wednesday for the mountains and foothills, NWS posted, and rain will turn to snow Wednesday evening on the plains. “Difficult if not impossible travel some foothills/Palmer Divide Wed night – Thu night,” NWS said. “Gradual improvement Friday.”
Previous reporting:
Denver’s true March weather colors could be about to show later this week.
After a lull of false spring with mild temperatures over the past few weeks, a major snowstorm is just days away from dropping up to a foot of snow in metro Denver, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder.
The storm will blow through the mountains and foothills Wednesday afternoon, where up to 3 feet of snow could fall in some areas, before entering the metro area that evening. The storm will be in full swing throughout Thursday before dropping off Friday morning.
The metro area and the Palmer Divide will be on a winter storm watch from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Friday.
Denver has a 100% chance of seeing at least some snow Wednesday night and most of the day Thursday. The actual totals are still somewhat uncertain because of possible shifts in the storm track, but there is a 30% chance Denver will see at least 12 inches of snow during the storm.
The most likely outcome for Denver is between 8 and 12 inches of snowfall, NWS forecasters say.
Forecast maps show less likelihood of heavy snow toward the northeast side of the metro area, with Denver International Airport having only a 21% chance of receiving a foot of snow.
The south and west metro areas, and primarily the foothills, have the highest likelihood. Evergreen has a 96% chance of seeing at least 12 inches of snowfall, and Castle Rock and Boulder have a 73% and 43% chance, respectively.
The snow will start dropping off Friday and probably stop by 1 p.m., then Saturday will begin a return to sunny and more mild weather.
