Colorado – A pale orange sunrise creeps over the Front Range this morning, glinting off snow-dusted peaks and warming the air just enough to melt the frost on Denver rooftops. The Mile High City wakes to a calm, cold start — but a sharp winter change is waiting just beyond Thanksgiving.
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, tranquil skies hold through Thanksgiving Day with sunshine and highs in the low 50s, perfect for travelers crossing I-25, I-70, and U.S. 36 ahead of the weekend rush. Winds remain light and the air stays crisp, providing a clear window for safe travel across the metro area and mountain passes.
By Friday, temperatures rise briefly into the low 60s before the next winter system edges toward the Rockies. Meteorologists expect snow to develop late Friday night into Saturday, as colder air pushes south across the state. Accumulation totals remain uncertain, but a few inches of snow could dust Denver and surrounding foothills by early Saturday, potentially slicking roads for post-Thanksgiving shoppers and mountain travelers.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook from NWS highlights gusty winds and winter-like conditions this weekend, with temperatures plunging into the teens and 20s by Sunday morning. The quick warm-to-cold transition may cause icy spots on bridges and elevated highways, especially before sunrise.
Looking ahead, long-range models point to a stronger Arctic front arriving around December 1, bringing widespread cold across the central and northern U.S. — possibly the first major December freeze of the season.
For now, Coloradans can savor a bright, mild Thanksgiving before winter makes its next move — a familiar rhythm for the Front Range as snow season slowly takes control.v
