Colorado’s mountains will see heavy snowfall on Monday while light flurries dust the Denver area and arctic windchill temperatures strike the plains, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS forecasters said some parts of northern Colorado’s mountains could see more than 2 feet of snow accumulate by 5 a.m. Tuesday. Other Monday morning snow forecasts include:
- A dusting to an inch of snow in the Denver area
- 4 to 11 inches on U.S. 6’s Loveland Pass and at the Eisenhower and Johnson Tunnels
- 5 to 12 inches at Eldora Mountain Ski Resort
- 6 to 16 inches on U.S. 40’s Berthoud Pass
- 7 to 14 inches at Winter Park
- 7 to 23 inches in northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, including Rabbit Ears Pass, Rollins Pass and Cameron Pass
- 9 to 28 inches of snow in Colorado’s Park Range Mountains, including Mount Zirkel and Mount Werner
- 12 to 35 inches on Buffalo Pass, which passes through the Park Range
“It’s snowing, a lot. It will continue to snow, a lot,” NWS forecasters said. “Don’t say we didn’t warn you!”
Snow was already falling in the mountains early Monday morning and is expected to reach the Denver area in the afternoon, forecasters said. The greatest chance for snow in the metro area is between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday.
Forecasters said the mountain snow will continue through Tuesday morning and gusty winds up to 50 mph could create blowing snow and whiteout conditions, making travel over mountain passes hazardous.
Snow squalls, sudden, brief and intense bursts of heavy snowfall and strong winds, will be possible over the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, forecasters said.
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for Jackson, Grand, Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park counties above 9,000 feet until 5 a.m. Tuesday.
NWS forecasters said an arctic airmass will also spread across eastern Colorado on Monday and linger through Thursday morning.
Windchill temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero are forecast for the Eastern Plains and cities as far west as Denver will see windchill temperatures near minus 15.
Forecasters said the coldest night, when those extreme lows are expected, will be overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
An Extreme Cold Warning will be in effect from 10 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Thursday for northeastern Colorado, including Julesburg and Holyoke.
“Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes,” NWS forecasters said in the warning. “If you must go outside, dress in several layers of warm clothing, including a hat, face mask, and gloves. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.”
Another wave of snow will hit Colorado on Wednesday and Thursday before warmer, drier weather moves into the state on Friday and continues through the weekend, forecasters said.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.