Thunder claps could accompany snowflakes in the Denver metro area on Tuesday while heavy snow is expected in the high country, forecasters say.
There is a 60 percent chance of snow, mainly after 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. Anywhere from a trace to an inch of snow is possible.
It will be breezy with wind gusts up to 21 mph and thunder is also possible, forecasters say. The high temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees. The low temperature Tuesday night could be around 17 degrees.
“When we get near spring we can pop a little of that thunder with snow,” NWS meteorologist Frank Cooper said. “It’s certainly unstable enough in the atmosphere for that to happen.”
Denver Public Works officials warn that the storm could cause “flash freeze” conditions on streets and highways. Snow that falls early Tuesday could melt on the streets and then freeze as temperatures drop, according to the warning. Plow drivers are dropping de-icing materials in the Denver area, according to public works.
Colorado’s northern and central mountains remain under a winter weather advisory Tuesday. Between 5 to 10 inches of snow is expected. Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, forecasters predict.
Mostly sunshine is in store for metro Denver during March’s early days.
“When the system moves out tonight we’ll have warm and sunny weather for the rest of the week,” Cooper said.
Expect highs of 40 Wednesday, 45 on Thursday and 58 on Friday.
The weekend will heat up with springlike temperatures nearing 70 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, forecasters said.
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