Denver to See First Snow in 40 Days, Up to a Foot in Mountains

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A storm system will hit Colorado on Friday, bringing up to 14 inches of snow to the mountains and the first snow in 40 days to the Denver metro area. The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 7 and 11 a.m. across the Denver area, potentially leading to slick roads and limited visibility during the morning commute.

Why it matters

This late-season snowstorm could significantly impact travel and commutes in the Denver area, which has not seen measurable snow in over a month. The heavy snow in the mountains will also make travel difficult through the key passes and even at lower elevations.

The details

The storm system will bring snow to the Denver area starting by sunrise on Friday morning. The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 7 and 11 a.m., with snow continuing throughout the day. While the warm ground and surface temperatures may keep roads mainly wet in lower elevations, the intensity of the snow could overcome that and lead to slick spots. Sharp north winds will also combine with the snow to limit visibility. In the mountains, 6 to 14 inches of snow accumulation is possible, prompting Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories.

• Snow will develop in the Denver area by sunrise on Friday morning.
• The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 7 and 11 a.m. across the metro area.
• Snow will continue all day on Friday in Denver, but the majority of accumulations will be before midday.

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates on potential impacts to the Denver area and Colorado's mountains.