Storm Update

Unfortunately it looks like the low is going to track too far to the south to give us the best shot at impressive snow totals. That said, the snow, cold, and wind have settled in and will not be going anywhere in a hurry. Especially the frigid temperatures. While we will likely see light snow continue off and on into Tuesday, it is the sub-zero temperatures that we will really need to watch.

Low tonight: -5 (wind chill -20 to -30)

Tuesday Hi: 0

Tuesday Lo: -19 (wind chill -30)

Wednesday Hi: 9

Wednesday Lo: -4

These images are from the Weather Channel and the NWS respectively. The first showing the current weather with the low tracking south of Colorado, and the second showing the latest snowfall predictions for the region.

For more on the storm and record cold, please see yesterday's post. Stayed tuned for updates on the storm, and edits to the going snowfall forecast if necessary!

Bitter cold in store for Denver, snow on the way as well

An arctic airmass like we haven't seen in quite some time is headed for Colorado, and will be fully entrenched come Monday night. The National Weather Service is now forecasting a high of -2 degrees on Tuesday. The last time we did not make it above zero for a high was way back in 1997! Single digits will return on Wednesday before finally breaking freezing again Thursday.

In addition to the cold, the NWS has issued a *winter weather advisory* for nearly all of eastern Colorado. At this point it looks like Denver can expect anywhere from 3 - 7 inches of snow from midday Monday through early Tuesday. Snow-favored locations to our south and west are looking at more like 5 - 10 inches from this storm.

While it appears that the bitter cold will be the major weather story of the next several days, please stay tuned for any changes to the going snowfall forecast.

Stay warm out there!

East Coast slammed again

From DC to Boston schools are closed today because another powerful winter storm ripped through the region last night. With up to two feet of snow being reported in some locations, New York City appears to be the winner among the major urban centers with nearly 20 inches of snow burying the city. Here is a time lapse from the Weather Channel of our nation's capital during yesterday evening's storm: http://tinyurl.com/635m5gn

Not much has changed with regards to our forecast... Warmer than average temperatures will carry us into the weekend, with our next chance of snowfall and cooler temps still due in sometime Sunday. Please see yesterday's post for more.

Warm!

Snow showers have come to an end this morning, with just scattered showers lingering in the mountains today. As the skies start to clear, the temperatures will warm. The forecast calls for upper 40s today, and could approach the 60 degree mark come Friday.

Our next chance of snow looks to come Sunday night into Monday. Varying models solutions are keeping confidence low at this point as some models are bringing in a strong cold front Sunday evening (and with that a good chance for widespread snow) while others are keeping the cold front east of the forecast area. Will hold off on any bold predictions at this point and wait to see how things come together over the next few days.

Light Snow Possible

A cold front dropping south over Colorado today will bring a chance of snow to the urban corridor. For now snow accumulations appear minimal with 1 - 3 inches forecast for Denver. As usual, snow-favored locations to our south and west may see a bit more in the way of accumulation, with places like Castle Rock being in more of the 2 to 5 inch range.

After a cool day Thursday temperatures will rebound quite nicely for Friday. By this weekend, however, we could see another slight chance of snow. This does not look like much of anything at this time.

This image from the Weather Channel shows the upper level low ready to drop out of Wyoming and bring Denver its next chance of snow this afternoon.

Snow back in the forecast

The mountains have the best chance for snow over the next few days, but even Denver will see a chance of the white stuff before the week is over. Today and tomorrow will remain warm on the plains with downsloping winds in place. Snow will increase in the mountains through the day today, and continue through tomorrow.

Denver will have a slight chance of showers tomorrow and tomorrow night... but our best chance for snow will come sometime Wednesday. A cold front dropping out of Wyoming Wednesday afternoon could give us enough upslope for a few hours of snow. It is only a 20% chance right now, but according to the National Weather Service models are trending more and more towards a quick shot of snow with this system.

As for temps... After another warm day today, and even tomorrow, look for temperatures to fall back into the 40s and 30s for the rest of the week.

Snow in 49 states

With the latest round of winter weather for the east coast, and a rare snow event in the deep south, CNN reports that 49 states now have snow on the ground. The only one without snow? Florida. Below (left) is an image from the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center showing the current snow cover in the contiguous U.S., right is an image taken today from Boston's latest storm.

While the northeast starts the cleanup process after upwards of 20 inches of snow blanketed areas around Boston and New York, our weather looks to remain calm over the next several days. Westerly winds will help us break out of the frigid temperatures we have been experiencing since this past weekend, and will push our highs near the 50 degrees to finish the week. Our next chance for snow won't come until the end of the weekend, and at this point it looks like a very slight chance at best.

Snowfall Totals

Some decent snowfall totals being reported from around the region... Here are a select few from the NWS (in inches):
Eldorado Springs: 11.6
Roxborough Park: 10.0
SSE Bennett: 8.3
Westminster: 7.0
Castle Pines: 6.9
Denver International Airport: 6.5
E Highlands Ranch: 6.3
Longmont: 3

Chilly temperatures will be around for the next several days. Overnight lows will dip below zero tonight in most locations. In fact, many mountain locations could see temps as low as 30 degrees below zero! After Tuesday temperatures will moderate a bit before our next system arrives for the weekend. Still too much uncertainty surrounding it to make any major changes to the going forecast. For now expect cooler temps and a slight chance of snow.

Storm Update

Not much has changed in the last 24 hours. With snow already developing across much of the northeast plains of Colorado, it looks to be just a matter of time before the first flakes start to fall across the metro area. Earlier this afternoon the National Weather Service issued a *winter weather advisory* for Denver which goes into effect tomorrow and will last well into Monday. Going forecasts still call for 5 - 10 inches in Denver, with 6 - 12 expected in the snow-favored locations to our south and east. Snow should develop sometime Sunday morning in Denver at the latest, and continue overnight Sunday. While some snow showers may even graze us overnight tonight, it looks like the best chance for moderate snowfall will be later in the day Sunday.

Will continue to keep you informed of any changes to the going forecast. Be sure to check the twitter feed on the right for all the latest storm reports, or follow @BrendansWeather if you have twitter!

Here is the forecast image from the NWS as of this evening:

Forecast: snow, wind, and bitter cold

Get out and enjoy your Saturday tomorrow because as it stands things are going to change in a hurry come Sunday. Models have come into a little more agreement since yesterday's post, and are showing a bit more snow for the metro area than previously thought. Thus the National Weather Service has issued a *winter storm watch* for most of northeastern Colorado from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. A watch means the potential is there for a significant winter storm in the region. I would expect the watch to get replaced with advisories and warnings if the forecast stays on track over the next 24 hours or so. As for snow amounts... Forecast models are putting out anywhere from 2 to 12 inches, so going forecasts have compromised and are going with 5 - 10 for Denver. Will wait to see how things shape up in the next day or so before being too sure which end we will end up on.

Maybe the bigger story will be the cold. Temperatures will plummet Sunday and will likely stay well below freezing until at least Wednesday, maybe Thursday. Tuesday's high may not get out of the single digits.

Warm, briefly

With another blast of arctic air set to move in Sunday, I hope you all take advantage of the mild weather over the next day or so. With this next arctic blast comes our next chance of snow, and while it has started to look like a pretty decent chance, little if any accumulation is expected at this time. The cold front is expected to come through Sunday morning, and the cold air may take its time leaving. Monday's forecast calls for highs in the teens. Tuesday may be much of the same. Will hold out on making any bold predictions on snow (or lack thereof) until there is better consensus with the models.

Happy New Year!

The frigid arctic air mass that has gripped the region since Thursday is finally pulling away. While we will not be returning to the mild 50s and 60s we had grown so accustomed to over the last months, sunshine and 40 should feel quite nice. Overall this week should be quite pleasant, with just a few backdoor fronts keeping our temperatures down a bit. Pick day of the week? Thursday, when highs could approach 50 degrees.

By Thursday night and Friday we start to see some model disagreement. The GEM shows a decent disturbance slicing across northeast Colorado which would give us much colder temperatures and a chance for snow, while the GFS and ECMWF keep this front more open and further north. For now will hedge towards the warmer/drier forecast, and wait to see if we can get some agreement over the next several days.