Late-Week Snowstorm Expected to Bring Heavy Snow to Rockies, Possibly Denver

Linda Lam
Published: March 31,2017
Spring will be put on hold this April Fools' Day, as heavy snowfall is expected in parts of the Rockies.
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A low-pressure system, along with an increase in moisture and colder temperatures, will produce significant snow into Saturday, especially in the higher elevations of the Front Range.

Current Conditions and Radar

Winter storm watches, warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for portions of the higher elevations of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah for the upcoming snowstorm, including the foothills west and southwest of Denver and the Palmer Divide south of the Mile High City.
In addition, a blizzard warning is in effect for the Wind River Mountains in west-central Wyoming.

Winter Alerts

An area of low pressure will track across the inter-mountain West through the Rockies into Saturday. A second area of low pressure is then expected to develop over north Texas on Saturday.
(MORE: When the Last Freeze of the Season Typically Occurs)
A significant plume of moisture will be brought north from the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Colorado and combined with colder temperatures, resulting in heavy snowfall totals, possibly in lower elevations.

Snow Setup

The position of the low, south of Colorado, will provide a moist, easterly wind in eastern Colorado.
This upslope flow, or air moving up in elevation from the High Plains toward the Front Range, provides the moist layer in which falling snow can grow. If temperatures are cold enough, as expected, the snow can make it to the ground even over the lower elevations.
Travel could become difficult and hazardous, especially into Saturday morning, due to the heavy snow and gusty winds.

Forecast Details

Rain and snow are expected to continue through Saturday evening in the central Rockies, ahead of the approaching low-pressure system.
Saturday

• Rain and snow will persist into Saturday morning and possibly part of the afternoon in southeastern Wyoming, central and eastern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
• Precipitation may be heavy at times over the Palmer Divide of Colorado and the foothills west and southwest of Denver.
• Gusty winds will remain possible at times.
• FORECAST: Denver | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Cheyenne, Wyoming

Saturday's Forecast

By Saturday night, only a few rain and snow showers may linger in the region.

How Much Snow Is Expected?

The greatest chance for more than 6 inches of snow will be in elevations over 7,500 feet. Some of the higher elevations of the Rockies in Colorado and Wyoming will likely receive more than a foot of snow.

Snowfall Forecast

There is a chance that lower elevations, including the Denver to Boulder area, could receive more than 6 inches of snow.
However, there is still a bit of uncertainty regarding how much snow will accumulate in the lower elevations, so be sure to check back to weather.com for updates.
In the lower elevations of the High Plains where rain is the predominant form of precipitation, rainfall totals of up to 2 inches are possible.
Snow this time of year, however, is not that unusual for this area of the country. In fact, March is the snowiest month for the Denver area and April is the snowiest month in Breckenridge, Colorado.
(MORE: Where March and April Are the Snowiest Months)

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