A major Colorado snowstorm arrived overnight Wednesday and has already dropped more than 2 feet of snow in some areas of the Front Range foothills and up to 10 inches across metro Denver early Thursday morning.
The storm is forecast to drop more than a foot of snow over most of the Denver area and more than 4 feet of snow in some areas of the foothills and mountains by Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.
Outside the foothills, there is a lull in the snowfall Thursday morning across Denver, but forecasters said that’ll pick up again by Thursday afternoon.
MORE SNOW!!! After a lull along portions of the I-25 Corridor this morning, snow is expected to become more widespread and heavier again this afternoon and evening. Another 6-12″ coming for Denver metro, and 14-26″ more for the foothills. Lighter amounts farther east. #COwx pic.twitter.com/bwl7Awu7Ds
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 14, 2024
“We don`t expect a total cessation, but the lower elevations roughly along/just east of I-25 will see some breaks,” forecasters said on the NWS website. “Widespread and heavier snowfall is then expected to redevelop (Thursday) afternoon and continue into the evening.”
Forecasters expected snowfall rates to increase to about 1 inch per hour in the Denver and Boulder areas and up to 2 inches per hour in the foothills.
The snow will taper off again before daybreak Friday morning, but not before another 6 to 12 inches falls across metro Denver and another 14 to 26 inches falls in the foothills.
“Therefore, the storm total forecast with some spots reaching 4 feet or more in the foothills is right on track,” forecasters said.
School districts across the region canceled classes Thursday, including in Denver, Englewood, Littleton, Westminster, Cherry Creek, Jefferson County, Douglas County and Adams County.
Related Articles
Denver metro area school delays, closures for March 14, 2024
Colorado weather: Heavy snow hits Denver, Front Range; “major impacts” expected for metro area
Denver weather: Winter Storm warning issued as up to a foot of snow expected later this week
Denver weather: Snow squalls, cold front rolls in
Denver opening severe weather shelter Tuesday night
Most Front Range city and county governments, as well as the Colorado General Assembly, are also closed Thursday.
Major highways likely will see closures throughout the day due to adverse driving conditions, including Interstate 70, Interstate 25 and U.S. 285, according to state transportation officials.
NWS forecasters advised drivers not to drive into the foothills at all or be prepared to get stranded for an extended amount of time. Across metro Denver as well, difficult travel is possible and many neighborhood streets could become impassable.
People should only try to drive in the event of an emergency and be prepared with a winter survival kit in case they become stranded, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Road conditions began deteriorating along the I-70 mountain corridor Wednesday night, with the highway closing at multiple points for safety concerns.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.