Windswept Snow to Return to Denver, High Plains Early This Week

By Jordan Root, Meteorologist

November 15,2015; 10:54PM,EST

 

 

Another round of windswept snow is set to blast Colorado and the High Plains Monday night and Tuesday, mimicking the storm that brought blizzard conditions this past week.
An area of low pressure that is bringing rain and snow to the West will emerge across the Plains and rapidly intensify early this week, setting the stage for a major winter snowstorm.
While this storm spawns severe weather across the southern Plains, cold air and moisture will connect on the backside and produce a swath of very heavy snowfall.

An area spanning from southeastern Wyoming and southwestern Nebraska to far northern New Mexico will be affected. This includes Colorado, which will likely be the hardest hit.
"Rain will change over to snow across eastern Colorado late in the day Monday," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott.
From here, conditions will deteriorate quickly as the snow and wind is expected to increase in intensity Monday night.
Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible at times while wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph occur.
Snow will initially melt on roadways, but as the temperature drops and the snow increases, roadways will become covered.

"The combination of this heavy snow falling and very strong wind gusts will create blizzard conditions," said Elliott.
Blowing and drifting snow will spell out trouble for motorists who plan on driving during this time. Visibility will be greatly reduced on area roadways, including Interstates 25, 70, 76, and 80. Drivers are urged to reconsider travel plans due to the dangerous conditions.
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What Defines a Blizzard?
The combination of heavy snow and gusty wind will knock some trees down. Some communities may be put in the dark due to power outages.
Cities that are at most risk for snow and wind include Cheyenne, Wyoming; Goodland Kansas; North Platte, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"All of the components are in place for eastern Colorado to see at least a half a foot of snow, with locations along the Palmer Divide and in east-central Colorado to see up to a foot," said Elliott.
The heavy snow and gusty wind will shift into far western Kansas and Nebraska Tuesday. Snow will taper off in Denver Tuesday morning while holding on a bit longer in far eastern Colorado.
The snow will come to an end Tuesday night across Kansas and Nebraska.
This will be the second snow storm in the past week for this area, as heavy snow and gusty wind brought blizzard conditions Tuesday night and Wednesday of last week.