Denver, CO – A new storm system is expected to bring mountain snow and widespread plains rainfall from Thursday afternoon until Friday evening, creating potential travel delays across Colorado. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Denver/Boulder says the system will begin pushing into the state today, delivering a mix of rain and snow through the end of the week.
According to the National Weather Service, rain will begin spreading across the plains Thursday afternoon, with snow developing across the mountains by Thursday evening. Forecasters say the precipitation will continue through much of Friday, tapering off by late day.
East-facing slopes of Colorado’s higher terrain may receive 4 to 8 inches of snow, while foothill areas could see only a few inches. Roadways at higher elevations may become slick tonight into Friday morning as temperatures drop. NWS graphics show the heaviest totals focused along the Front Range mountains, including segments west of Boulder, Golden, Estes Park, and Fort Collins.
Across the northern and eastern plains—including Greeley, Fort Morgan, Sterling, and Akron—precipitation will fall mostly as rain. Forecast maps indicate 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rainfall, enough to create slower commutes and reduced visibility at times. While temperatures will be cold, they are expected to stay above freezing in the lower elevations, preventing significant snow accumulation outside elevated terrain.
Travelers heading into the mountains this evening and Friday morning should prepare for changing weather conditions. NWS officials encourage checking updated forecasts and road conditions, especially on corridors such as I-70, US-285, and CO-119, where snowfall rates may briefly intensify.
