I hope you’ve enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine we had this weekend because things are about to change fast. A broad area of low pressure is expected to park itself over the intermountain west this week and it will bring some of the coldest air of the season and several days of snow.
Temperatures
Temperatures Monday could reach the mid- to upper-40s around the metro area but once this cold front moves by, cold air will quickly follow with temperatures falling to near 5 degrees by Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to cover several states and move very slowly, so the cold air won’t be going anywhere anytime fast. Many folks in the central and northern plains can expect temperatures running 20 to 40 degrees below normal.
On Tuesday afternoon, forecasted highs are below 15 degrees. On Wednesday morning, lows will approach 0. And then we’re expecting a very similar temperature forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with highs in the teens and lows near 0 degrees. We won’t get above freezing until Saturday, when highs will be in the mid-30s.
That stretch of frigid days is not long enough to challenge the records for most consecutive days below freezing in Denver, which was 14 days long and happened in November 1880.
The only temperature record in jeopardy is the Tuesday afternoon high. The coldest high temperature ever reported for Feb. 22 was 13 degrees. The current forecast calls for the high to reach 14.
With temperatures this cold, even a little bit of wind will make it feel much colder. Winds between Monday and Friday are expected to blow 5 to 15 mph. Although not very strong, it’ll be enough to make the temperature feel like it’s below zero for the majority of this week.
Snowfall
Upslope flow will develop after the cold front on Monday afternoon. That will allow for snow to develop (a few light rain showers may happen first) with a bigger push of snow for Monday night. Much of the Interstate 25 corridor from Castle Rock to Fort Collins should wake up Tuesday to 1 to 3 inches of snow.
Light snow will fall throughout Tuesday with another push of moderate snow Tuesday night.
Between Tuesday night and Thursday morning, 2 to 3 inches of snow is expected. This means that total snow in our area between Monday and Thursday should be 4 to 6 inches. More snow is expected west of I-25 where foothill locations could expect 4 to 8 inches.
The sun will make a comeback on Thursday but temperatures will be too cold for it to melt much.
Plan on winter driving more times than not this workweek. Bundle up those kids and take care of your pets as well. Temperatures look to be back into the 40s by the end of the weekend.
