DENVER — For the last part of winter, we've been spoiled with warm temperatures, but that's about to change right as we enter spring.
Cooler temperatures will arrive Thursday bringing first rain and then snow to the Denver metro area.
By 10 a.m. Friday, the Denver metro area north to Loveland and Fort Collins could see 3-7 inches of new snow.
There will higher amounts in the southern and western parts of metro Denver with up to 9 inches possible. In the Front Range mountains and foothills up to one and a half feet of snow is expected. Moderate to heavy snow is expected in the foothills with blizzard conditions in southern Wyoming.
“Our team is preparing for these storms like we do any others,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT executive director. “We want to encourage people to know the forecast before they travel and to be prepared for what could be some tough conditions in some areas of the state. If you need to drive, please be especially careful. Let plows keep the roads clear, make sure to move over for first responders, and be mindful that there are many trucks on the road working to restock stores across Colorado.”
Roads are expected to be wet and slick during the day and transition to slushy to snow-packed roads after dark on Wednesday evening, especially along high mountain passes and mountain corridors, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
Across the state, where roads and highways are expected to be impacted by accumulating and blowing snow, maintenance crews have been assigned to around-the-clock snow shifts beginning Wednesday evening, CDOT said.
Due to colder temperatures throughout the duration of the storm, expect slick and icy conditions. Impacts are expected on Wednesday and Thursday. Conditions can be treacherous during the brunt of the storm, and CDOT urges motorists to limit driving while it is snowing.
Travelers are urged to “know before you go" by gathering information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road.
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