Santa could be bringing warmth this Christmas, but not until after another week of cold and snow, according to the latest forecast.
The highs in Denver for Christmas Day could push 55 degrees, said the National Weather Service office in Boulder.
Snow falling in Denver on Christmas is unusual, according to Weather Service records. December is Colorado’s fourth-snowiest month, and snowfall on Christmas Day has happened only 14 times in 107 years. There has been snow on the ground on 38 of those Christmases.
Last night, Denver commuters rode home on a nearly an inch of sleet and snow, as temperatures fell into the teens.
The front that pushed in from the mountains was followed by high gusty winds that reached nearly hurricane strengh, 70 mph, in the foothills this evening.
The same storm left eight inches of new snow in the central mountains, followed by dangerously high winds, as Summit County schools sent students home early and canceled after-school activities.
The High County is bracing for more snow and windchills as low of minus-20 on Friday.
The same snowstorm is expected to leave two inches on the Eastern Plains by morning.
The precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures could mean a chilly, possibly icy drive for Friday morning commuters in the metro region, according to forecasters.
Today is expected to be sunny with a high of 41, according to the National Wather Service.
There will be another chance of snow at dusk until abouty 11 p.m., along with a low of about 8 degrees and a wind-chill of minus-5, according to the forecast.
The high Saturday could reach only 16, with a low of minus-1 that night. The high Sunday is forecast at only 13 degrees with a low of 12, forecasters said.
Monday could warm up to 32 degrees. The highs will be in the 20s and 30s until the warm, sunny Christmas Day.
