It’s a bitterly cold Friday across Colorado following the arctic blast, but in the northeastern counties of the state it’s dangerously cold with the wind chill making it feel like it is minus 45 degrees in Greeley.
The National Weather Service in Boulder has issued a wind chill warning for northeast Colorado Friday morning.
Even before wind chill factors are considered, it was minus 30 in Fort Morgan, minus 35 in Greeley and minus 27 in Fort Collins. In Denver it was minus 5 degrees.
The Greeley-Evans School District 6 canceled classes on Friday and issued this warning on its website: “This is a very serious situation. Do not, for any reason, let any person in your family be exposed to this kind of cold for any more than a few minutes. Everyone needs to wear appropriate winter clothing at all times when stepping outside this morning.
“Our transportation department is experiencing trouble with our aging bus fleet as well,” the district said. “Many will not run in this kind of cold. Again, all District 6 schools are CANCELLED. Please stay safe and take this warning serious!”
“You can get frostbite or hypothermia very fast. It is very dangerous. You shouldn’t spend too much time out there,” said Jim Kalina, NWS meteorologist in Boulder.
Anywhere from 4 to 12 inches of snow fell in Denver and northern suburbs during the arctic storm, Kalina said.
In the mountains, between two to three feet of snow fell. About 44 inches of snow piled up in Tower. Jamestown in Boulder County received 25.4 inches of snow, Kalina said.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 20s in Denver on Friday.
The weather will be much warmer on the weekend and next week, with temperatures rising to 31 on Saturday, 51 on Sunday and 57 on Monday, the NWS says.
“It’s definitely going to be warmer,” Kalina said.
