A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Interstate 25 corridor Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon, with 3 to 8 inches of snow expected along the urban corridor
A powerful Denver spring snowstorm is on its way, and residents need to prepare now. A strong cold front is moving into the metro area late Tuesday night, bringing heavy, wet snow that will peak overnight into Wednesday morning. A Winter Storm Watch runs from 8 p.m. Tuesday through 3 p.m. Wednesday for areas including Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver and Castle Rock. Forecasters expect 3 to 8 inches of snow along the urban corridor, though totals could shift depending on timing and temperatures.
What to expect Tuesday and overnight
Tuesday starts quietly enough. Denver will wake up to mostly cloudy skies and light drizzle. Northern Colorado will see a rain and snow mix during the morning commute. By midday, rain and snow will push south into Denver and continue through the afternoon and early evening. Roads should stay wet but manageable for the Tuesday evening drive.
Conditions change significantly after dark. The storm peaks late Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, when temperatures drop and snow falls hardest. Wet, heavy snow accumulates more efficiently in colder overnight air. As a result, residents should shake snow off tree branches before going to bed to prevent broken limbs. Downed power lines and outages are also a real concern along the Front Range overnight.
Mountain impacts and travel concerns
While Denver deals with snow, the mountains face an even more intense round of winter weather. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from midnight Tuesday through 3 p.m. Wednesday for the northern and central mountains. Areas north of Interstate 70 could see 10 to 24 inches of new snow. Travel along higher mountain passes will likely become difficult to dangerous at times.
Specifically, Winter Park, Breckenridge and the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels could pick up 6 to 18 inches of snow by Wednesday afternoon. Anyone with mountain travel plans should check road conditions before heading out and consider delaying the trip if possible.
Wednesday morning commute and freeze risk
Wednesday morning presents the biggest challenge for Denver commuters. Snow could stick to pavement overnight, making roads slick during the early drive. Drivers should plan ahead, leave extra time and slow down on all major routes.
After the storm clears, skies will gradually improve Wednesday afternoon and evening. However, clearing skies also bring a sharp temperature drop. A Freeze Watch goes into effect Wednesday night into Thursday morning for much of the Interstate 25 corridor, with lows dipping into the low 20s. That hard freeze could damage plants and pipes, so residents should take precautions before temperatures fall.
When does it warm back up?
Relief arrives quickly after the storm. Thursday brings mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s. Temperatures climb further into the low 70s on Friday, triggering rapid snowmelt along the Front Range. Mild weather looks likely to continue through the weekend, offering a welcome change after a rough stretch mid-week.
For Denver, this Denver spring snowstorm serves as a reminder that May weather in Colorado rarely follows the calendar. Preparation before Tuesday night makes all the difference.
Source: Denver7 / KMGH
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