Thursday, February 19, Denver woke up clear, cold, and a little cranky, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s (about 24°F) and a brisk north wind slicing through the morning. A few light snow showers are possible before 5 a.m., mainly across the eastern plains, and mountain roads are still slick from overnight flurries. The main story arrives Friday, when a more organized round of light snow is expected in the afternoon and at night, potentially impacting the I-25 corridor and the evening commute. After that, the weekend trends mostly dry with a strong warmup Sunday into Monday.
Today And Tonight
Thursday stays mostly sunny, with a high near 41°F and northwest winds of about 9 to 15 mph, gusting up to around 21 mph during the afternoon. Clouds fill in later Thursday, and a late-day chance of light snow could bring minor accumulations, with heavier totals still most likely in the mountains and along the Palmer Divide. The National Weather Service has the detailed timing and zone-by-zone forecast for the metro area and nearby high country.
Friday Commute Risk
A passing disturbance on Friday brings the best shot at measurable snow, with precipitation chances climbing to roughly 60 to 70 percent and most spots expected to see an inch or two at most. Combined with north winds and temperatures stuck in the mid 30s, that light snow could be enough to slick up roads for the Friday evening commute, especially on untreated surfaces and at higher elevations. If you are heading out Friday afternoon or evening, expect slower going and build in some extra travel time.
Weekend Outlook
High pressure builds in for the weekend, bringing more sun and a milder feel, with highs near 48°F on Saturday and around 50°F on Sunday. A stronger warmup is on tap for Monday, with highs expected to climb into the 60s, which should quickly melt lingering urban slush and help improve driving conditions.
Travel Tips
Mountain roads remain slick this morning, so give yourself extra time, ease off the gas on snowy stretches, and leave plenty of room for snowplows to work. For traction-law details, current road conditions, and winter-driving pointers, check CDOT and COtrip before you hit the highway.
