In Brief:
Snow totals and a warm up beings.
Saturday update:
That storm way overproduced! I thought we'd see an inch or so. We almost saw 3 inches in Longmont. Boulder got a whopping 5-8 inches. The GFS from an earlier updated pretty much got it right.
After this, we warm up! Later next week we may see an extended period of rain and showers. More later!
End Saturday update.
Friday update:
Light rain and snow showers have been falling for a day. The rainfall picks up Friday afternoon and evening and changes over to snow. We should have about 1/4th to 1/2 inch of water by the time it is done (more in the Foothills). But snowfall should only be in the 1-3 inch range at the lower elevations (with 3-6 inches in the nearby mountains).
We warm up to 60's and 70's next week. Next Friday is our next change of moisture.
End Friday update.
Tuesday update:
We warm to the 70's one more time before a strong cold front sweeps the low lands Wednesday evening. Some rain chances return with chilly damp weather. Our biggest rain chances arrive Friday PM into Saturday midday (Figure 1). There is a chance the rain changes to snow in the early morning hours but I'm not thinking much will build up, except on lawns, in Longmont.
We warm after that to the 80's by midweek. Hello Spring.
End Tuesday update.
The Forecast Discussion:
A very powerful ridge is on its way to bring our first 80 degree highs since October 20, 2023. The weekend will feel great!
A series of troughs then begin to sweep the state next week cooling us down to below normal temperatures with rain and rain/snow mixes at the lower elevations (Figure 1).
The Long Range Forecast:
The trough is a pretty strong one and we should see winds pick up again (Figure 2). The mountains will see snow while the Plains will see rain (Figure 3).
From this first system, spots in the northern mountains may pick up to a foot of snow, but the low lands get skipped (Figure 4). Rain will occur north and east of Denver but should only come in at around 1/10th of an inch to a lucky 1/2 inch in places.
More later!
