The weekend-long series of thunderstorms and snowstorms sweeping across Colorado reached its strongest intensity Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Another one to three feet of snow is projected for Colorado’s mountains and higher elevation foothills Saturday, according to a NWS hazardous weather outlook.
Idaho Springs and Juniper Pass near Mount Blue Sky could both see more than 35 inches of fresh snow stack up, according to NWS projected snow totals. Elsewhere in the mountains — including Rocky Mountain National Park and Berthoud Pass — snowfall projections between 20 and 25 inches were common.
The heavy, wet spring snow will create poor visibility and difficult travel, especially over mountain passes, forecasters warned.
While snow was falling in Denver and across other lower elevations Saturday morning, little to no accumulation is expected, forecasters said. The main impact in the metro area will continue to be from rain and thunderstorms.
The weather service issued a flood advisory for Denver Saturday morning as both rain and snow drenched the city, causing small stream and street flooding in downtown Denver’s Cherry Creek.
Temperatures in the city will hold steady throughout the day at around 38 degrees, only dropping to 37 degrees overnight, forecasters said.
Related Articles
Colorado weather: Severe thunderstorm warning for Denver, Lakewood warns of high winds, quarter-sized hail
Colorado weather: Tornadoes, up to 2-inch hail forecast in Eastern Plains
Denver weather: Spring showers and thunderstorms expected this week, with possible tornado to the east
Denver weather: Spring showers to bring cooler temps, with light snow in the mountains
Nearly 600 flights delayed, canceled at Denver International Airport on Saturday
Sunday will be warmer but light rain will remain, with scattered thunderstorms and a high near 59 degrees, according to NWS forecasters.
In eastern Colorado, strong storms could bring damaging winds and hail to the plains Saturday, NWS’s hazardous weather outlook stated. Lincoln County can expect quarter-sized hail.
Snow and rain are expected to dwindle between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and overnight into Sunday morning, forecasters said.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.