DENVER — It’s a quiet and fairly calm start to the week but that’s about to change. We’re expecting some gusty winds on the plains and some heavy snow in the mountains.
The winds will pick up throughout the day, with gusts near 60 mph along the Front Range. We’ll see some of the gustiest winds in the foothills and south along the Palmer Divide. That combined with temperatures near 70 degrees has prompted a Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday. The record high on Monday is 75 degrees and we’re calling for highs in the upper 60s to low 70s across the plains.
The mountains could see some light snow, but heavier snow is in store on Tuesday. In fact, Tuesday is the big day to watch. A strong storm system moving in from the West Coast will crank up the wind dramatically across the foothills and all of the Eastern Plains. We’re talking very strong gusts that could exceed 50 mph in some spots, possibly even stronger in the mountains. It will stay very dry on the plains, so extreme fire danger is possible. This could be one of those days where any spark becomes dangerous fast.
A number of winter weather alerts go into effect across the Colorado high country from early Tuesday to early Thursday. The high mountain passes west of the Divide could see 1 to 2 feet of snow. We’ll see around 4 to 10 inches of snow across the northern Front Range mountains and foothills. Again, these are 48-hour snowfall totals from early Tuesday to early Thursday.
After Tuesday, we don’t completely calm down. Wednesday will be a little cooler, but still windy and dry enough for continued fire concerns on the plains. The mountains may get another round of snow midweek, possibly with better accumulation as colder air moves in. Through the rest of the work week, expect ongoing fire weather concerns on the plains and periodic snow and wind in the mountains, an active and potentially hazardous stretch of February weather across Colorado.
DENVER — Sunday looks quiet and warm, with dry weather continuing across the region. Afternoon temperatures will again run well above average, and humidity will drop back into the low range, especially over the plains. Winds will be much lighter than today for most areas, which should limit fire weather concerns, though it will still feel dry.
kmgh
By Monday, the warmth and dry conditions hang on, but we’ll be watching winds more closely in the northern parts of the area. A system passing north of Colorado could tighten the pressure gradient and bring some breezy conditions during the afternoon. If winds do increase more than expected, there could be some localized fire weather concerns, but overall confidence is higher that the stronger winds stay north and in the higher terrain.
kmgh
A cold front moves through late Monday into Tuesday, bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity. This front slows things down a bit, and while a few light snow showers are possible in the mountains Tuesday, the better moisture holds off. Tuesday looks quieter overall, especially for the plains, with cooler but still fairly mild conditions.
The pattern becomes more active later in the week. Wednesday into Thursday brings the best chance for mountain snow as winds increase and moisture improves, leading to periods of light snow and potentially blowing snow in the high country.
Heat for a few more days, then cooler air arrives
Toward the end of the week, another system may bring precipitation chances to the plains as well, but confidence is still low on exact timing and amounts, so that part of the forecast will continue to be refined.
Today starts off quiet and mostly clear as warm air sticks around thanks to high pressure in place over Colorado. Temperatures will stay well above normal, for the Front Range and the plains. Highs will be in the low to mid 60s, making it feel more like early spring than February.
Saturday stays mild but brings a little more going on. Some high clouds will move in as a weak system slides through, and winds will pick up out of the west to northwest. With dry air, warmer temperatures, and those breezy conditions.
Sunday looks like the calmest and nicest day of the stretch. Skies will be mostly sunny, winds ease up, and temperatures remain mild with highs in the 60s across northeast Colorado. It’ll be a great day to be outside, just keep in mind fuels remain dry.
Monday continues the warmer-than-normal trend, but conditions turn a bit more active. A larger system approaching from the west will increase winds aloft, which could translate to breezy or even windy conditions at the surface. How strong those winds get is still uncertain, though recent trends suggest they may not be as intense as once thought.
By Tuesday through Thursday, the weather pattern shifts and becomes more unsettled. Temperatures cool slightly but stay near or just above normal, and multiple chances for precipitation move in.
Snow looks most likely in the mountains, especially Wednesday into Thursday, while lower elevations may see periods of light rain or snow during this time.
DENVER — Monday started with increasing high clouds, but clearer skies are expected this afternoon.
Afternoon highs will be about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than Sunday, ranging from the mid to upper 50 across most of the metro and northeastern Colorado.
Denver7
Temperatures cool a little more Tuesday under northwest flow, with highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s.
By Tuesday evening and overnight, a fast-moving disturbance and jet streak could spark light showers, mainly in the mountains and along the Palmer Divide.
Midweek cooldown with possible spotty snow Tuesday night
The chance for light snow in the Denver area is low, but any accumulation would be minor.
The Palmer Divide is expected to see most of the snowfall for Tuesday night.
A few flurries could linger early Wednesday before skies clear quickly.
Denver7
Wednesday will be slightly cooler again, with highs in the mid-40s to low 50s before warmer, drier weather returns later in the week.
DENVER — It looks like it will be an unseasonably warm start to February. We saw high temperatures in the low 60s across the metro area on Sunday and it’s going to get even warmer in Denver later this week!
We saw some increasing clouds overnight but that’s leading to an incredibly mild morning. The clouds act like a blanket, trapping in some of the heat that we saw on Sunday. You’ll find lows in the 30s and 40s Monday morning, with low 50s by lunch and highs in the upper 50s by 4 p.m. Northeasterly winds will pick up behind the front, with occasional gusts around 20 to 25 mph before easing later in the day.
Tuesday cools down a bit more, with highs mainly in the upper 40s to low 50s under northwest flow aloft. By Tuesday night into early Wednesday, a passing weather system brings the next chance for snow, though confidence isn’t especially high for the metro area. We’ll likely see a light rain/snow mix develop Tuesday afternoon. The best chance of snow will be in the northern/central mountains and potentially south along the Palmer Divide.
Temperatures will stay on the cool side, but still seasonable, with highs generally in the mid 40s to lower 50s. By later in the day, sunshine should return as drier air moves back in. From Thursday through next weekend, the pattern turns warm and dry. A strong ridge of high pressure builds over the region, pushing temperatures back up into the upper 50s and mid 60s. Aside from maybe some passing high clouds at times, the end of the week and the weekend look quiet, mild and precipitation free.
An unseasonably warm start to February across Colorado
Arctic air settles in for the Front Range today. Temperatures will be in the single digits early, and with a breeze, wind chills will be below zero on the plains. It’s a dry cold to start the day, but it’s the kind that stings your face if you’re out early. A cold weather advisory is in effect for the eastern plains from now- through Sunday morning for wind chills around -20.
By Friday afternoon and evening, we’ll start to see some light snow develop across the eastern plains, including the I-25 corridor. This will be on and off and generally pretty light, but it could coat roads just enough to cause issues for the evening commute. Most lower-elevation spots should pick up around an inch, maybe two inches in a few isolated areas (Friday into Saturday), so we’re not talking about a big snowstorm. It looks like it’ll be just enough to slow things down and make roads slick late Friday, early Saturday morning.
The mountains are a different story. Snow ramps up Friday morning in southwest Colorado and spreads into the central mountains through the day. By Friday evening and overnight, mountain roads, especially along and south of I-70, will become slick and snow covered as pavement temperatures drop quickly. From Friday through Saturday, totals in the mountains will range from about 4 inches on the lower end to as much as 12 inches in the favored spots, making travel over passes slow and occasionally difficult. Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for our central and southern mountains through Sunday morning. Saturday will be the coldest day of the stretch. Highs on the plains will struggle to get out of the teens, and morning lows will dip into the low single digits or even below zero. Any snow that falls Friday night will stick around, so expect icy patches on roads all day, especially in shaded areas. Light snow may linger into Saturday morning before tapering off, but even after it ends, the cold will keep road conditions from improving much.
Sunday is still a bit uncertain. Temperatures may come up a couple of degrees compared to Saturday, but it won’t feel like much of a warm-up. There’s also a chance for a few additional light snow showers, though nothing major looks likely. By the time the Bronco game starts we should have partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 20 degrees, so bundle up if you are heading to the game in person!
The deep freeze backs off by Monday, when temperatures are expected to rebound closer to normal, with highs back into the 40s for many spots along I-25. Most of next week looks quieter and drier, giving us a break after a very cold and wintry weekend.
Starting late tonight, we’re looking at a period of light snow moving into the area and sticking around through the overnight hours into early Monday morning. This won’t be a big storm, but it should be widespread enough to cause slick roads, especially for Monday morning. Most lower elevations, including the Denver metro and eastern plains, can expect about half an inch to maybe two and a half inches of snow, which is just enough to slow things down.
kmgh
Because of the fresh snow and some clearing skies, Monday will stay on the chilly side. High temperatures will run below normal, and there’s a chance Denver doesn’t even make it into the 40s during the afternoon. Roads should improve later in the day, but the morning drive could be messy, so give yourself some extra time.
kmgh
Looking ahead, things calm down nicely from Tuesday through Thursday. A brief break in the active weather sets up with generally dry conditions and more sunshine. That said, Tuesday could turn very dry and breezy, especially across the foothills and northeast plains. Winds could gust over 35 miles per hour, and if we don’t get enough moisture from tonight’s snow, fire danger could briefly become a concern.
Light snow moving in for Denver tonight and into Monday
A weak system slides through Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing a cold front and gusty winds. Temperatures will dip slightly below normal on Wednesday, but at this point, any snow looks spotty and light if it happens at all. It’s something we’ll keep an eye on, but it doesn’t appear to be a major player right now.
By late Friday and into next weekend, a sharper blast of cold air is expected to arrive in Colorado. This looks like a brief cold outbreak, with overnight lows possibly dropping into the single digits or even below zero on the plains. There’s also a chance for some light snow, especially along the southern foothills, as that colder air settles in to wrap up the week.
DENVER — If you’re heading to Empower Field at Mile High for the Broncos’ matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, bundle up — this game will feel like football weather.
Saturday is shaping up to be one of the colder home games of the season, with afternoon highs only reaching the mid to upper 30s.
Breezy conditions are expected to persist throughout the day.
Those winds could feel much colder in the stands, especially during the later parts of the game.
Critical fire weather conditions are possible across the plains, particularly east of I-25.
Winds ease up for most areas with temperatures rebounding on Sunday with afternoon highs near 50 degrees across the Front Range.
It will be a nice break from the chilly temperatures if you’re spending time outdoors.
However, keep an eye on the forecast heading into Sunday night and early Monday morning. As a weak system could bring a light round of snow or flurries, possibly creating slick spots for your Monday morning commute.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be slightly cooler than Sunday, as a cold front passes.
After the morning snow, most of the areas should stay dry.
Another pattern returns, keeping us dry and mild much of next week.
DENVER — Another unseasonably warm day is in store! Temperatures will soar into the upper 50s to low 60s along the Front Range Tuesday afternoon under a partly sunny sky.
This warmer than normal weather is due to an upper-level ridge of high pressure that is parked over the state, and much of the west. A weak front will push into the state Tuesday night, bringing a slight chance of showers to the northeastern plains and very light snow along the spine of the Continental Divide. The high mountain passes could be a little wet early Wednesday.
Look for slightly cooler temperatures Wednesday in Denver but it’ll still be above average in the mid 50s.
A stronger cold front arrives Thursday evening into Friday, bringing more seasonal temperatures by the end of the work week. It’ll be windy Friday and Saturday but still dry across eastern Colorado.
More unseasonably warm 60s for the Denver metro area Tuesday
DENVER — Colorado is settling into a stretch of quiet and mild weather as a strong ridge of high pressure builds over the western United States.
There are a few snow showers across some parts of the mountains on Saturday morning, but it’s expected to move out later today.
Saturday will be sunny and seasonable, with highs near 45 degrees.
No rain or snow is expected across the lower elevations.
Saturday night, skies will be clear with lows dropping into the mid-20s.
Denver7
Sunday will be slightly warmer and just as calm.
Sunday afternoon highs are expected to be near 55 degrees.
Denver7
The warming trend continues as we head into the work week.
Temperatures will climb above normal, with Monday and Tuesday highs reaching the upper 50s to near 60 degrees along the I-25 corridor and eastern plains.
Winds will be breezy at times, but no significant high wind events are expected.
There is a chance of a few weak systems to watch later in the week.
One may pass through Tuesday night, bringing a small chance for very light precipitation.
Another could arrive Thursday into Friday, with a chance of light precipitation and possibly cooler air for the northeast plains.
For now, enjoy the sunshine and the mild late-winter feel.
DENVER – Two rounds of snow are possible in the Denver metro area over the next 36 to 48 hours, first developing in the mountains in the overnight hours into Thursday morning before bringing a chance of a rain-snow mix across the Front Range.
For the Denver metro area, the second shot at snow later in the day on Thursday could bring more accumulations.
“You might actually see some wet roads, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough early Thursday morning to make things slick but it could get a little wet out there,” said Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. “That next round with a few bands of snow could likely leave us with our heaviest accumulation of the system.”
Denver7
Denver7’s Futurecast shows some light snow could develop across Denver in the early afternoon hours on Thursday before more bands roll through in the evening hours and into early Friday morning.
“It’s going to then taper off from north to south but we’ll see some light snow early Friday morning with the heavier snow down south closer to spots like Black Forest, Colorado Springs and down near Pueblo,” added Higaldo “Right now, snowfall totals look to be pretty light over the Northeastern Plains and closer to Denver we’re at about 2 to 4 inches.”
NWS Boulder
She said the Palmer Divide will be on the edge of the heavier snow.
“At this point, it looks like around 3 to 6 inches but maybe upwards of 8 inches farther south if you get some of those heavier totals.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Grand Junction issued a winter weather advisory starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday for portions of the High Country across the far northwestern and western mountains in Colorado.Between 3 to 12 inches of snow is possible in these areas.
Hidalgo said it was likely winter weather alerts could be issued closer to the Denver metro area. This story will be updated if that happens.
“Some travel impacts are likely from Thursday evening into Friday morning, especially across the Foothills and Palmer Divide. Confidence in snowfall totals remains low at this time,” added NWS forecasters in Boulder.
Denver7
Expected to high-end snow totals across Colorado
The below potential snow totals from the NWS present a wide range between what is expected and possible high-end accumulations.
Allenspark: 7” to 9”
Arvada: 2” to 9”
Aurora: 3” to 11”
Berthoud Pass: 11” to 15”
Black Hawk: 6” to 9”
Boulder: 2” to 8”
Brighton: 1” to 7”
Broomfield: 2” to 8”
Castle Rock: 6” to 13”
Centennial: 3 to 12”
Commerce City: 2” to 8”
Denver: 2” to 9”
DIA: 2” to 8”
Eldora: 8” to 10”
Fort Collins: 1” to 4”
Fort Morgan: 1” to 3”
Floyd Hill: 6” to 12”
Golden: 4” to 11”
Highlands Ranch: 3” to 12”
Idaho Springs: 5” to 8”
Lafayette: 1” to 7”
Lakewood: 3” to 11”
Limon: 3” to 7”
Littleton: 3” to 11”
Loveland Pass: 8” to 10”
Longmont: 1” to 5”
Nederland: 6” to 8”
Northglenn: 1” to 7”
Parker: 4” to 13”
Rabbit Ears Pass: 7” to 10”
Superior: 2” to 8”
A Denver7 Weather Action Day goes into effect for both Thursday and Friday.
After Wednesday’s sunny skies and high temp of 58 degrees in Denver, the city will reach its high temp Thursday of around 39 degrees in the overnight hours before temps drop during the day.
Friday will eventually bring clearing skies in Denver and a high of 35 degrees before temps begin to rebound into the low 50s through the weekend.
DENVER — Saturday and Sunday will both feel more like early spring than January. As temperatures run above normal across Colorado. Saturday afternoon highs will climb into the upper 50s and low 60s, with no precipitation expected. Sunday will be the warmest day of the weekend, with highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. Some areas could even challenge previous record temperatures. If you’re heading to watch the Broncos kick off at 2:25 PM on Sunday, the weather won’t be an issue—expect sunshine, warmth, and dry conditions during the game. However, there is elevated fire danger on Sunday. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon for South Park, the southern foothills, Denver and western suburbs, and the Palmer Divide.
Southwest 10–20 mph with gusts up to 30–45 mph
Humidity: As low as 13%
Impacts: Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread
Please avoid outdoor burning and anything that could spark a fire due to the conditions on Sunday.
Denver7
There is a chance that snow could return late Sunday to Monday, with cooler temperatures starting Tuesday with highs in the 50s.
DENVER – Christmas in Denver felt like anything but on Thursday as the Mile High City broke the previous December 25 record high of 69 degrees set back in 2005 warming today to 71 degrees.
A family visiting from Austin told Denver7 they were chasing the snow, but no luck this year.
Denver7
So with no white Christmas in Denver this year, we wanted to go back and see just how often there’s been one around here.
A lot of folks who live outside of Colorado probably believe it’s always snowy and cold on Christmas in Denver, but it might surprise you to know that’s often not the case.
In 125 years of records, there have only been 46 times of Denverites waking up to an inch or more of snow on the ground. That amounts to a 37 percent chance.
A white Christmas in Denver is even less common if you define it as measurable snowfall of 0.1. Snowfall measurement records started earlier – back in 1882 – and by that standard, Denver has only seen a white Christmas only 20 times out of the 143 years.
That probability drops to 14 percent.In terms of most measurable snowfall on Christmas in Denver, 2007 holds the top spot where 7.8 inches of snowfall was recorded.
Christmas 1982 was one to remember where a Christmas Eve blizzard dumped on Denver.
Weather News
A look back at Denver’s biggest snowstorms
The “nightmare before Christmas” storm brought 24 inches of snow to the ground for Christmas Day, pushing that year to the top of the charts in terms of snow depths on Christmas.
So when was the last time Denver saw a white Christmas? It looks like 2022. While Christmas Day that year brought a temperature of 49 degrees, there was already 2 inches of snow on the ground.
In 2023, a blizzard impacted Colorado’s northeastern plains, but at Denver’s official snow gauge out at DIA, there was no snow. According to NWS records, parts of southwest Denver did have snow on the ground that year.
As for when it will feel more like winter, which officially started on Sunday — Here’s what Denver7 meterologist Stacey Donaldson had to say:
“Saturday night it will be cold with a couple of inches possible in Denver, but because it’s been so warm most of that will melt.”
DENVER — On Monday, Denver International Airport reached 76 degrees, setting a new daily record. It marked the warmest temperature recorded this late in the year since 1939.
Denver7
There is an upper-level ridge and compressional warming that’s driving unusual warmth, especially across the plains and urban corridors.
While the plains remain dry, gusty winds are expected to increase in the foothills and high country on Christmas Day.
Denver7
Peak gusts could reach 50 to 65 mph at higher elevations, though winds are expected to be less widespread across lower elevations compared to recent wind events.
Fire weather conditions will be monitored, particularly when low humidity overlaps with stronger winds.
Light to moderate snowfall is expected Friday into Saturday, mainly favoring the Park and Gore Ranges.
Temperatures will trend closer to seasonal averages from Saturday through Monday, bringing a more typical late-December feel back to the region.
Drier conditions are expected to return early next week.
For now, enjoy the mild holiday weather — just be mindful of gusty winds and fire danger, especially in wind-prone areas.
Denver sees record heat as warm, dry weather lasts through Christmas
DENVER — Denver smashed its previous daily heat record (70 degrees) on Monday, with the city’s afternoon high temperature climbing all the way to 76 degrees.
The warm, dry conditions combined with gusty winds prompted a Red Flag Warning along the Front Range through early Monday evening, but winds are expected to calm down through the evening and into Tuesday.
The warm, dry pattern is expected to last through this week, with a mix of sun and clouds and daytime highs topping out in the upper-60s or low-70s through Christmas Day on Thursday.
We are currently forecasting a high of 70 for Christmas Day, which would be Denver’s warmest Christmas on record. The current record is 69 degrees, set in 2005.
Christmas Day will also bring some gustier winds back to the Front Range foothills, along with a mix of mountain rain and snow. Better chances for mountain snow will arrive Friday and Saturday.
The metro is looking at only slight chances for precipitation late this week, though this upcoming weekend will bring a big cooldown taking temperatures closer to normal for this time of year.
DENVER – Colorado was slammed by Category 2 hurricane-strength winds (between 96 and 100 mph) on Friday as the community of Marshall in Boulder County recorded a top wind speed of 112 mph.
