Heavy snowfall blankets Denver metro, unprecedented totals recorded
- A significant upslope snowstorm impacted the Denver metro area, with snowfall amounts differing drastically by locality.
- Areas in the south and southwest received over a foot of snow, while northern and eastern regions recorded less than an inch.
- The weather is expected to improve with a warm-up over the weekend, leading to mostly sunny and dry conditions.
In Colorado, a upslope snow storm occurred that began Thursday night, continuing into Friday morning. This weather event led to varied snowfall amounts across the Denver metro area, with notable differences between regions. The areas to the south and west experienced the most substantial accumulation, receiving near to well over a foot of snow in some locations, which marked the heaviest snowfall since November. In contrast, the northern and eastern parts of the Denver metro saw much lighter totals, with some locations receiving less than an inch. The sharp gradient in snowfall was particularly pronounced within a 40-mile span. By early Friday afternoon, conditions began to improve as the light snow cleared up and temperatures rose above freezing, reaching into the upper 30s and low 40s. Despite the clearing conditions on the main roads, side roads remained snow-packed, prompting caution for drivers. Official measurements at Denver International Airport recorded a little over half an inch of snowfall, underscoring the disparity in totals across the region. The foothills of the Rockies experienced an additional impact from two waves of snow, first from moisture overrunning cold air and then intensifying with strong northeasterly flow. As Friday progressed, sunshine returned to the area, paving the way for a weekend warm-up. Saturday was forecasted to have daytime highs reaching the low 50s under mostly sunny and dry conditions, with temperatures expected to climb even higher into the low 60s by Sunday and early next week. This change is attributed to the establishment of high pressure in the region, which should stabilize the weather patterns and bring in milder conditions. The snowstorm provided much-needed moisture to the Front Range, effectively improving ski conditions in the mountains just in time for weekend recreational activities. The pattern of snowfall also highlighted the variations in weather across short distances, necessitating awareness of local weather conditions as residents ventured out. As residents settled into the milder weekend forecast, many looked back at the sudden impacts of the snowstorm that brought both challenges and benefits to the area.