Brace yourselves, Denverites, as the National Weather Service in Denver/Boulder issues a winter weather advisory for the northern mountains effective from tonight into the early hours of Saturday morning, the forecast doesn't bode well for those with weekend travel plans. The advisory spells out an increase in snowfall by early evening which, coupled with gusty winds reaching up to 60 mph, is poised to create perilous conditions for drivers with reduced visibility and potential road closures especially over higher passes, now while this weather might delight skiers, it serves a stern warning to commuters and holiday-goers who find themselves navigating the treacherous territory, according to the National Weather Service.
For the city dwellers, the NWS predicts a dance of sorts with the sun and clouds, today's highs might soar to an unseasonably warm 66 degrees accompanied by brisk west winds, but the serenity is short-lived as the mercury is set to plunge to a chillier 31 degrees overnight. A "slight chance of rain and snow after 11 pm" promises to usher in the first signs of the oncoming spell of harsher weather Denver is about to endure, with the rest of the week not looking particularly forgiving either, what with a series of cold fronts and intermittent snow that are expected to keep things decidedly wintry.
As we look ahead to what's brewing for the remainder of the week, the NWS has warned of a "fairly weather pattern" with several rounds of light snow ahead, none heralding a major storm, yet all capable of slickening roads and complicating travel, "slick and hazardous travel conditions can still be expected during each one of these periods of snowfall," they add, ominously hinting at an arctic chill preparing to descend upon the plains and foothills by late Monday. This arctic front is forecast to linger through Tuesday and Wednesday, ensuring that winter's grip remains steadfast on the region.
Snow is anticipated to peter out by Saturday morning in the mountains before another round hits that evening, spilling into Sunday, and while the cities at lower altitudes may escape the majority of the snowfall, areas closer to the Wyoming and Nebraska borders won't be as lucky. The subsequent round of snow is slated to arrive with the arctic cold front late Monday, with flurries likely to persist sporadically through Tuesday, and the NWS doesn't rule out the possibility of the snowfall stretching into Wednesday, Denver's residents and visitors should brace for a chilly week and plan accordingly, especially since driving conditions could be anything but favorable.
