Strong storm to bring heavy rain and snow to Colorado

A big change in the weather pattern will bring significant amounts of precipitation to parts of Colorado over the weekend, including snow for the mountains.

The warm, dry, breezy weather Colorado is experiencing will drastically change over the weekend. A storm system over California as of Friday morning will move northeastward toward the Four Corners throughout the day, crossing over Colorado late Saturday and Sunday.

Upper-level storm system as of Friday morning

Upper-level storm system early Sunday morning

This storm system will send a strong cold front into Colorado, dropping temperatures and dropping snow levels. It'll also be responsible for an enhanced upslope pattern beginning late Saturday afternoon, continuing through around midday Sunday. This upslope flow will bring substantial rain amounts to the west-facing foothills and all of eastern Colorado, including Denver where 0.50-1.25 inches of rain will fall. Heavier amounts of 1.50-2.00 inches are possible for the foothill communities. The flood risk is low but is non-zero and will be locally higher near recent burn scars. As always, never cross a roadway covered by water.

Rain accumulation forecast

With the colder air associated with this system, the first appreciable snow event is forecast for the mountains. A rain/snow mixture cannot be ruled out as low as 7,000-7,500 feet with light accumulations above 8,000 feet. Several inches, approaching a foot in some cases, is possible above 10,000 feet, including Pikes Peak.

Snow accumulation forecast

Because of the snow forecast along with the gusty winds of 30-45 mph in the mountains, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the weekend for the highest peaks.

Winter Weather Advisories

The weather conditions will begin to improve late Sunday as the storm weakens and moves east.