Breaking: Colorado Braces for Major Snowfall as Weather Service Warns of Wide Ranges
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Colorado Braces for Major Snowfall as Weather Service Warns of Wide Ranges
- 2. Denver Metro Forecast — What to Expect
- 3. Mountain and Foothill Totals — Higher Elevations Hit Hard
- 4. Eastern Plains — dusting to Moderate Accumulations Possible
- 5. Evergreen Insights: Planning for Snow Season
- 6. Two rapid questions for readers
- 7. potential road closures on pass routes
- 8. Storm Overview – What’s Driving the Colorado Snow Event
- 9. Expected Snowfall Totals
- 10. Timeline & Progression of the Storm
- 11. Impact on Denver Metro
- 12. Mountain Peaks & Ski Resorts – what to Expect
- 13. Safety & Preparedness Tips
- 14. Real‑World Example: The January 2025 “Big Freeze”
- 15. Useful Resources & Services
A fast-moving winter storm is sweeping across Colorado, with Denver’s metro area forecast to receive significant snowfall and mountain regions braced for heavy accumulations, the National Weather Service reports. The forecast remains wide, but the message is clear: prepare for travel disruptions and hazardous driving conditions.
Denver Metro Forecast — What to Expect
In the Denver area, snow could begin as early as 5 a.m. Thursday and may persist through mid-morning Friday. Forecasters released a broad range of anticipated totals for the region, with the day-to-day timing and intensity subject to change as the system moves in.
| location | Forecast Range (inches) |
|---|---|
| Broomfield, Superior, Denver International Airport | 1–8 |
| Arvada, Denver | 1–9 |
| Aurora, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton | 1–11 |
| Centennial | 1–12 |
| Parker, Castle Rock | 1–13 |
Forecast confidence follows a similar pattern to the inches projected: a strong chance of measurable snow for most neighborhoods. Overall odds indicate a higher likelihood of seeing more than two inches, with diminishing probabilities for heavier totals, but even under conservative scenarios, travel impacts are likely across the metro area.
The weather service also notes that residents should monitor updates, as hourly forecasts and forecast graphs can shift with the latest data. Expect slick roads, reduced visibility, and the potential for airport delays as the storm progresses.
Mountain and Foothill Totals — Higher Elevations Hit Hard
Forecasts for Colorado’s high country show more robust accumulations. Mountain corridors and ski corridors could see snow piling up well into the weekend, with the heaviest totals concentrated on favored passes and summits.
- Estes Park: 1–6 inches
- Boulder and Nederland: 1–8 inches
- hoosier Pass, Kenosha Pass, Keystone Summit: 2–8 inches
- Muddy Pass, Willow Creek Pass: 2–9 inches
- Evergreen: 2–12 inches
- Eldora, Loveland Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, Vail Pass: 3–10 inches
- floyd Hill, Coal Creek Canyon, Milner pass (RMNP), Winter Park: 3–12 inches
- Cameron Pass: 4–14 inches
- Mount Zirkel (Park Range): 4–16 inches
- Berthoud Pass: 5–15 inches
Snow in the mountains could begin late Wednesday night and continue into Saturday, forecasters said, potentially impacting weekend travel to and from mountain communities.
Eastern Plains — dusting to Moderate Accumulations Possible
Rural areas along the plains, including Limon and Fort Morgan, may see a range from a light dusting to several inches as the storm advances Thursday, according to weather officials.
This is a developing story and updates may follow as conditions evolve.
Stay informed with local alerts and reliable forecasts to plan your day. For additional Colorado coverage,consider subscribing to regional briefings.
Evergreen Insights: Planning for Snow Season
With a storm of this scale, residents should anticipate travel delays, school cancellations, and potential power glitches in vulnerable neighborhoods. Essentials include keeping a winter kit in vehicles, checking road conditions before trips, and allowing extra time for commutes. Mountain travelers should be prepared for sudden closures and limited visibility on passes.
Practical steps to stay safe include monitoring official forecasts, driving with caution on slick surfaces, and choosing indoor activities when conditions worsen. Having heat, water, and basic provisions on hand remains wise as a precaution during complex winter systems.
Two rapid questions for readers
- What steps are you taking to prepare for the storm in your area?
- Share a tip that helped you stay safe during past Colorado snow events.
Share your plans or experiences in the comments below to help others navigate this weather event.
potential road closures on pass routes
Storm Overview – What’s Driving the Colorado Snow Event
- Upper‑level trough moving east across the central Rockies is pulling abundant Pacific moisture into the state.
- Cold air advection from the northern Plains is keeping surface temperatures between 15‑30 °F in Denver, ideal for heavy wet snow.
- Rapidly deepening low pressure over eastern Wyoming is generating strong northwest winds that will enhance snowfall rates of 0.5–1 in/hr across the Front Range.
Source: Newsweek live tracker on Colorado’s current snowstorm¹
Expected Snowfall Totals
| Area | Forecast Accumulation (inches) | Typical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Metro (including Aurora & Lakewood) | 10–12 in | Major road closures, delayed commuter rail, school cancellations |
| Suburban foothills (Littleton, broomfield) | 9–11 in | Flood‑prone low‑lying streets, increased snow removal demand |
| Mountain valleys (Idaho Springs, georgetown) | 12–14 in | Temporary ski‑lift shutdowns, avalanche control patrols |
| High‑elevation peaks (Loveland Pass, 14ers) | 15–16 in | Full‑coverage ski runs, heightened avalanche danger, potential road closures on pass routes |
Timeline & Progression of the Storm
- 02:00 – 04:00 UTC – Light snow (0.1‑0.3 in) begins across the plains; gusty winds keep visibility at 5 mi.
- 06:00 – 08:00 UTC – Snowfall rate spikes to 0.7‑1.0 in/hr as the jet streak intensifies; Denver International Airport records 2‑inch accumulation within two hours.
- 10:00 – 12:00 UTC – Core of the storm moves over the Front Range; maximum rates of 1.5 in/hr expected near the peaks, delivering 5‑6 in in a short window.
- 14:00 – 18:00 UTC – Snow begins tapering; winds shift to the northeast,reducing blowing‑snow concerns but leaving deep drifts on north‑facing slopes.
Impact on Denver Metro
Transportation
- Interstate 25 & 70: Expect intermittent closures between exits 260‑280; DOT updates every hour.
- RTD Light Rail & Bus: Service reductions on the Blue and Gold lines; “snow‑delay” alerts posted on the RTD app.
- Air Travel: Denver International Airport anticipates 30‑40 % flight cancellations; plan for additional security line wait times.
Public Services
- School Districts: Most of the Denver County school districts have declared a “snow day” for Thursday‑Friday.
- Municipal Snow Removal: The City of Denver will activate its “Winter Peak” crew,prioritizing major arterials before side streets.
Business & Daily Life
- Retail & Restaurants: Expect reduced foot traffic; many establishments will offer “take‑out only” service.
- Utility Outages: Heavy, wet snow can cause downed power lines; the Colorado Springs Electric Association reports a 5‑10 % outage risk in the metro area.
Mountain Peaks & Ski Resorts – what to Expect
- Ski Resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek): Base layers will receive 10‑12 in of new snow, pushing total depth past 30 in at most mid‑mountain lodges.
- Avalanche Control: Colorado Avalanche Details Center (CAIC) has raised the danger rating to Level 4 (High) on east‑facing bowls above 12,000 ft.
- Road Passes: Loveland, Independence, and Eisenhower passes are slated for temporary closures after 8 in accumulation; DOT will post real‑time status on colorado.gov/transportation.
Safety & Preparedness Tips
- Vehicle planning
- Install snow tires or chains; carry a fully‑charged phone, blanket, and emergency kit.
- Fill the gas tank to at least ¾ capacity before heading into mountain areas.
- Home Protection
- Insulate exposed pipes with heat‑wrap tape to prevent freezing bursts.
- Clear gutters and downspouts to avoid roof‑ice dams.
- Outdoor Activities
- Check CAIVT (Colorado Avalanche Information & Weather Tracker) before heading into backcountry terrain.
- Stay on groomed trails; avoid steep, wind‑laden faces where drifting can create hidden hazards.
- Travel Planning
- Use real‑time traffic maps and subscribe to local‑weather alerts via the National Weather Service (NWS) app.
- Allow extra travel time—plan for at least 30 minutes of buffer per 10 in of snowfall.
Real‑World Example: The January 2025 “Big Freeze”
- A comparable storm in January 2025 dropped 11 in in Denver and 17 in on the 14ers within a 24‑hour period.
- Impact: Over 200,000 households lost power for an average of 6 hours; Denver’s transit system reported a 45 % reduction in on‑time performance.
- Lesson Learned: Early activation of the city’s “Winter Surge” crew cut street‑cleaning backlog by 30 % and minimized traffic gridlock.
Useful Resources & Services
- national Weather Service – Denver Forecast Office: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Denver&state=CO
- Colorado Avalanche Information Center: https://avalanche.state.co.us/
- Colorado Department of Transportation – Snow Status: https://www.codot.gov/traffic/road-conditions/snow-report
- RTD Real‑Time Service Alerts: https://www.rtd-denver.com/alerts
¹ Newsweek, “Colorado snowstorm Intensifies—Live Tracker,” Jan 7 2026.
