The Denver area woke up to clouds and drizzle on Saturday, leaving people wondering where the promised snow is.
“I guarantee it is coming,” said National Meteorological Service meteorologist David Barjenbruch on Saturday morning. “In Denver, we are still on track for a very significant storm.”
It is expected to start just before noon on Saturday, and may even bring “snowstorm”, which Barjenbruch called “very cool thing”.
The National Meteorological Service said the snow would fall overnight and until Sunday. On Sunday morning, the metropolitan area will have about 15 centimeters of snow – with greater amounts at the foot, especially in the north.
Current snow forecast for Denver Metro along with higher and lower final values. #cowx pic.twitter.com/afZcIA0Kzo
– NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 13, 2021
During the early part of the storm, from late Saturday morning to late afternoon, rain can mix with snow, Barjenbruch said. The initial flakes will dissolve, but will start to stick to roads and highways in the late afternoon or evening.
The subway and the Front Range are under winter storm warning until 6am on Monday. During the night from Saturday to Sunday, snow will fall at a rate of up to 5 centimeters an hour at times. Overall, the storm is expected to fall from 1 to 2 feet of snow, with a total of 3 to 4 feet at the foot, especially the county of Larimer that will be hit hard. Although there is still a little uncertainty about snow totals at the upper end for some areas, snow is expected to be significant, wet and heavy.
Traveling will be “almost impossible” on Saturday night and most of the day on Sunday, the NWS warned, echoing what the authorities have been saying for a few days – stay off the roads and squat at home. Secondary roads, especially at the foot, are likely to be “impassable” on Monday because of the extremely deep snow.
The storm system, which is advancing northeast through the Four Corners region, will bring smaller amounts of snow to the west slope. The eastern plains will see a little more rain due to slightly higher temperatures, keeping snowfalls there lower than the metropolitan area and the foothills.
Another climate system is approaching northern Colorado, the NWS said, bringing a chance of snow in the mountains on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with a chance of rain and snow on the eastern plains. In Denver, there is a 20% chance of snow on Tuesday.