On Friday morning, most of the Denver area woke up to 2 to 5 inches of snow, leading to extra delays on area roadways. The snow seemed to take at least some residents by surprise.
Since 5 AM, has received 49 traffic crash reports — thatap not great. Slow it down and allow yourself that extra stopping distance, folks. Better late than never…
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice)
Denver residents: the commute was awful, we weren't expecting any snow this morning!!! *Pitchforks in the air*
Meteorologists: but like… we told you. You just have to have personal responsibility to check the weather before you go to bed and check it again before you head out.
— Minh Phan (@WXMinh)
Most forecasts had shown a generally lighter snow, but Friday morning’s snowfall produced at least 2 inches of snow across most of the metro area. It also came before and during the Friday morning commute, enhancing delays and impacts to commuters.
In order to figure out why it snowed as much as it did on Friday morning, it’s probably best to start by looking at the big picture.
In short, a large area of low pressure was spinning through the southwestern U.S., creating the grey and unsettled conditions throughout Colorado over the last few days. By Friday morning, though, that area of low pressure had moved east and out onto the plains of southeastern Colorado — a bit further north than anticipated. That brought a surge of energy into the area, and moisture-laden winds backing against the mountains known as upslope flow.
By Thursday afternoon, short-range computer forecast models were beginning to hint at the possibility of accumulating snow on Friday morning, mainly because of localized snow bands centered over the metro area.
Short-range model's been hinting at a band or two that could put down an inch or two tonight.
Worth watching for the AM commute in Denver.
— Chris Bianchi (@BianchiWeather)
Two things happened to create the increased possibility of snowfall on Friday morning: one, the low tracked a bit further north than computer models had initially indicated. That, in turn, started to put small-scale snow bands in play for the Denver area.
As tends to often be the case for Denver-area snow events, localized bands of heavier snowfall are the X-factor for Denver snow forecasts. On cue, a localized snow band set up over the Denver area on Friday morning, creating some of those higher snowfall issues — and, in turn, some of those travel headaches.
A combination of the low tracking a bit further north and a band of heavier snowfall — centered right over Denver and the immediate metro area — created ripe conditions for a nasty and snowy Friday morning commute.
As always, though, be sure to focus on the timing of any snow forecasts rather than the anticipated totals.
