Denver wakes up cloudy and chilly at 43°F on Tuesday, March 3, with gray skies hanging on and light showers expected to slide in later this morning and into the afternoon. Spotty downpours could briefly cut visibility and turn commutes slick, while temperatures creep toward a modest high near 49°F. Up in the Front Range mountains, though, this system is the main event, with forecasters calling for 6–14 inches on the higher peaks and a Winter Weather Advisory in place until 8 PM MST.
Showers Most Likely Midday
Rain chances ramp up across the Denver metro today, with about a 70% shot at showers from the late morning into the afternoon. Most neighborhoods are expected to see only light totals, roughly a tenth of an inch or less. North winds at 3–12 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, could nudge a few heavier showers through and briefly drop visibility on area highways. These timing and rainfall details come from the National Weather Service.
Mountain Snow And Travel
Higher terrain along the Front Range will take the brunt of this round, with 6–14 inches possible on the northern peaks and the biggest totals above 10,000 feet. Cameras and reports already show I‑70 at the Eisenhower Tunnel and Berthoud Pass is snow-covered, making mountain travel slow and at times hazardous. Drivers heading for the high country should check real-time road and closure information from the Colorado Department of Transportation before leaving and be ready for chain or traction-law activations.
Warm Wednesday, Watch For Thursday Winds
Skies should clear on Wednesday, March 4, with a sharp warm-up bringing sunshine and highs close to 67°F, a quick breather from the wet weather. The forecast discussion also flags another system late Thursday into Friday and highlights the potential for elevated to critical fire-weather conditions across the eastern plains on Thursday as mild, dry, breezy air returns.
How To Prepare
If you are planning a mountain trip, build in extra time, bring chains or use an AWD/4WD vehicle, and consider delaying nonessential high-country travel until conditions improve. Local commuters should monitor CDOT COtrip or dial 511 for mountain corridor updates, and check RTD service alerts if you rely on buses or trains, so the weather does not catch you off guard.
