Denver’s true March weather colors could be about to show later this week.
After a lull of false spring mild temperatures over the past few weeks, a major snowstorm is just days away from possibly dropping a foot of snow in the Denver metro area, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder.
The storm will blow through the mountains and foothills Wednesday afternoon, where up to three feet of snow could fall in some areas, before entering the metro area that evening. The storm will be in full swing throughout Thursday before dropping off Friday morning.
The Denver metro area and the Palmer Divide will be on a Winter Storm watch beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Friday.
Winter Storm Watch expanded to include #Denver, #Boulder, and Palmer Divide east to Limon.
Increasing confidence in heavy snowfall and potentially significant travel impacts. Make alternative travel plans/avoid travel late Wednesday through Thursday night. #COwx pic.twitter.com/zAjvXqHtVT
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 12, 2024
Denver has a 100% chance of seeing at least some snow Wednesday night and most of the day Thursday. The actual totals are still somewhat uncertain because of possible shifts in the storm track, but there is a 30% chance Denver will see at least 12 inches of snow during the storm.
The most likely outcome for Denver according to the NWS is between 8 and 12 inches of snowfall.
Forecast maps show less likelihood of heavy snow toward the northeast side of the metro area, with Denver International Airport having only a 21% chance of receiving a foot of snow.
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The south and west metro areas, and primarily the foothills, have the highest likelihood. Evergreen has a 96% chance of seeing at least 12 inches of snowfall, and Castle Rock and Boulder have a 73% and 43% chance, respectively.
The snow will start dropping off Friday and probably stop by 1 p.m., then Saturday will begin a return to sunny and more mild weather.