Powerful April snowstorm to bury Colorado Rockies, High Plains this weekend

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

April 16,2016; 12:43PM,EDT

 

 

A slow-moving, strengthening storm will cause snowfall to ramp up over a large part of the Rockies and to spread over part of the High Plains this weekend.
People in the region, including the Denver area, should be prepared for travel disruptions, power outages and property damage.

The heaviest snow will fall across the Colorado Rockies with up to a few feet of accumulation possible.
As of daybreak Saturday, close to a foot of snow has fallen over the high country of Colorado with progressively less snowfall, up to a few inches in the foothills.
While the heaviest snow will fall across Colorado, enough snow could fall to lead to travel delays across portions of Wyoming, western Nebraska, northern New Mexico and southwestern South Dakota.
This map shows expected snowfall on non-paved surfaces. Snowfall will be significantly less on roads.
Travel will become slippery and hazardous across much of Colorado across interstates 25, 70, 76 and 80.
Temperatures and the exact track of the storm will be the determining factors regarding how much snow will fall and where.
Road conditions will deteriorate in the mountains first and will then spread to the foothills and plains to the east," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "Outside of the mountains, there will be much more snow on non-paved surfaces, compared to roads and sidewalks."
In parts of the High Plains, heavy snow will follow flooding rain and severe thunderstorms as the weekend progresses.
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"The most dramatic change in road conditions is likely at night, when temperatures lower slightly and energy from the April sun is lost," Sosnowski said. "In most cases over Colorado, the heaviest snow will fall through early Sunday morning."
Motorists this weekend are urged to allow plenty of time and to make sure a winter survival kit is on hand since conditions could become treacherous enough for vehicles to become stranded. Some roads may close for a time during the storm.
Slushy snow will accumulate on runways and delays will result from aircraft deicing operations. Enough snow could fall to cancel flights inbound and outbound at the Denver International Airport.
Over 650 flights out of Denver International Airport have already been cancelled for Saturday, according to FlightStats.
The weight and amount of snow can knock down trees and power lines, leading to sporadic power outages. Those with a flat or weak roof should seek safe snow removal to avoid collapse.
"Snow will be heavy and wet due to temperatures around the freezing mark," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.
Blizzard conditions are not as likely as with this storm compared to other events from this winter and spring due to the heavy, wet nature of the expected snow. However, winds in some locations could gust over 30 mph.
"After springlike temperatures for the past several days, a dramatic change has unfolded this weekend across the High Plains," Adamson said.
From April 2-14, highs in Denver have been in the 60s and 70s. Temperatures may fail to reach 40 this weekend.
"While wild changes are not uncommon this time of year, it will still be a shock for many," Adamson said.
While the baseball season has begun, this storm will not impact any games at Coors Field.
"Fortunately, the Colorado Rockies are on a six-game road trip starting on Friday, so the snow in Denver will not have any impact on their games," AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
However, snow may cause the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and the Colorado Rapids to be postponed on Saturday night. The game is set for 7:00 p.m. MDT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.
The storm will slowly leave the area during Monday night and Tuesday as drier and milder weather replaces it for the rest of next week.
April snowstorms are not uncommon across Colorado.
"Denver averages nearly 7 inches of snow during the month of April," Pydynowski said. "Given the city has yet to receive any snow this month, this storm should take Denver up to or even a bit above its monthly April average."
Snow can also make an appearance in Denver during May. A snowstorm on May 9, 2015, postponed a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers after Denver received 4 inches of snow.