Late-April Winter Storm Is Taking Aim At the Rockies, Including Denver

Tom Moore
Published: April 29,2016
The latest in a series of late-season winter storms that have been riding into the western U.S. from the Pacific is set to dump more heavy snow across the central Rockies and possibly into the Foothills and Plains. Residents of Colorado, southern Wyoming and far western Nebraska should prepare for winter weather, even though the calendar says that May is imminent.
A potent storm system will push across the Four Corners and central Rockies into Friday, emerging in the western High Plains by Saturday. Snow will continue through Friday evening and will gradually taper off as we move into Saturday.
Intense snowfall rates will allow the visibility to drop below one half mile for an extended period of time in the mountains. With temperatures below freezing, snow will accumulate rapidly on road surfaces. Travel is not recommended for these areas until snow tapers off and road surfaces are cleared. Even in the higher elevations, the snow will be wet and heavy so watch for downed trees and power lines.
An easterly "upslope" wind at the surface will allow the snow to continue into Saturday. In the Denver metro area, the snow may mix with rain at times. In addition to the snow, wind gusts could reach 25 mph along the Front Range Saturday.
For parts of western Nebraska, northwestern Kansas and the Black Hills of South Dakota, snow will generally fall from Friday night though Saturday afternoon.

Current Radar

The heaviest snow is likely to fall in higher elevations east of the Continental Divide and in elevated areas west and south of Denver. Heavy snow will also extend into southeastern Wyoming. In the Front Range and plains of Colorado (including Denver) accumulating snow is possible from this storm, mainly on grassy surfaces. In the Dever metro area, there will likely be a tight gradient as far as snowfall totals, with much of the area seeing less than 5 inches, which towards the airport over 8 inches is possible.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in the mountains and foothills of Colorado, as well as southeastern Wyoming and southwestern Nebraska. Snowfall totals of 12 to 18 inches are likely and isolated locations (mainly above 9,000 feet) could see 24 inches or more. A winter weather advisory is in effect for mountain locations west of the Continental Divide in Colorado. These areas, including Aspen, are likely to see 5 to 8 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts.

Snowfall Forecast

(FORECAST: Denver | Colorado Springs | Cheyenne)
Forecasting can be tricky this time of year with lower elevation snowfall accumulations because the sun angle is so high and temperatures will be near, or slightly above, freezing. Snow has a tough time accumulating during the daylight hours and it accumulates better at night in these locations. The situation will be monitored closely as the storm unfolds.

MORE: Photos From Winter Storm Vexo April 2016