DENVER — A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Denver, Boulder and Golden, as the biggest Denver-area snowstorm in three years is forecast to start Wednesday night.
The winter weather storm system is forecast to arrive in Colorado on Wednesday, with rain turning to snow sometime between Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The worst of the impact will be on Thursday, with the storm tapering off Friday. That could mean 36 hours of rain and snow in the Denver metro area.
The National Weather Service said on Tuesday afternoon to expect 9 to 18 inches of snow along the Interstate 25 corridor in Denver, Golden and Boulder between Wednesday and Friday, with feet of snow falling in the foothills.
How much snow we get depends a lot on when the precipitation turns from rain to snow, said 9NEWS meteorologist Chris Bianchi. If, on Thursday morning, it's still raining or it's a rain/snow mix, the final total could end up on the low side of 5 to 8 inches. If we wake up with 4 to 5 inches of snow already on the ground, we're looking at a much higher overall total.
The foothills could see up to 30 inches of snow out of the storm, Bianchi said. The National Weather Service said that 4 feet of snow is possible in localized spots.
Because this is expected to be a heavy, wet snow, broken branches and downed power lines are a possibility.
Colorado's mountains have a good chance for heavy mountain snows with Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings and Watches having already been put in place for a great deal of the high country.
Thursday is the three-year anniversary of Denver’s last official double-digit snowstorm.
"There are still a lot of factors yet to play out with this developing storm, but right now it does look on track to possibly become a potent winter storm with significant travel impacts around the state," said 9NEWS weather forecaster Ed Greene.
"That being said, we have had similar storms this season that have shown great potential, suddenly change dynamics and then that potential evaporates.," Greene said. "It’s still a 50-50 proposition for Denver and the plains - so as they say on TV: 'Stay tuned!'"
The National Weather Service in Boulder said the winter storm could take a southwest track, limiting the amount of snow Colorado would receive. A second, stronger storm track would lead to more snow across the Rocky Mountain region, lasting longer into Friday.
Before the next cold front arrives in Colorado on Wednesday, a high-pressure ridge will be in control of the weather for Monday and Tuesday, with mild and dry weather in Denver and across the state.
As always, stay tuned to 9NEWS for the latest weather forecast as we update the track of this winter storm system.
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