12:25 pm, Friday, January 30, 2015

We are expecting neither a cold wave nor a significant amount of precipitation this weekend. Instead, expect near seasonable to slightly colder than average temperatures by Sunday, along with a considerable amount of clouds and some periods of light precipitation possible (light snow likely in the mountains).

There will be a large amount of mid level atmospheric moisture passing through the state today and Saturday, but no organized storm system to help squeeze it out in the form of snow or rain. On Saturday night a cold front will likely increase the northeasterly upslope flow along the Front Range, but the moisture in the middle levels will probably be exiting the area by then.

So here is what will most likely occur:

Generally cloudy (maybe some brief periods with the sun) through Saturday. Some intermittent showery snow (or rain) may occur Friday night and Saturday, especially in the mountains. Snow accumulation through Saturday, 1-3 inches in the mountains.

A cold front Saturday night will probably result in low clouds and some areas of light snow along the foothills and on the plains by Sunday morning. Those clouds may break up a bit later in the day. Total snow accumulation through Sunday morning in the Fort Collins-Boulder-Denver area will likely be a dusting to about 1 inch.

Western Colorado is likely to be less cloudy on Sunday. Mild weather is expected to return to Colorado and Wyoming on Monday.

12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The temperature this afternoon is likely to reach or exceed the record high of 68 for Boulder.  Denver’s record of 76, also the monthly record, will be more difficult to reach, but it is already 71 there as of noon, so we’ll get close. Although Wednesday is likely to be 15-20 degrees cooler, it will still be above average.

Beginning Thursday we are likely to get a string of days with temperatures closer to average, maybe even a little below average by Saturday.  There will be more clouds around Thursday-Friday, but the chance of precipitation in the Colorado Springs to Cheyenne corridor is quite small. There is a better chance for some light precipitation by Friday south of Colorado Springs and in the mountains south of I-70.

The next chance of snow along the Front Range that’s worth watching is timed for late Friday into Saturday. I will update later in the week. For now enjoy the 70 degrees. Although it’s not unheard of to get an occasional 70-degree day in January, most years don’t produce warmth of that magnitude.

10:15 AM, Sunday, January 25, 2015

Monday and Tuesday are likely to be the peak of the current warm spell with afternoon temperatures running some 20 degrees above average across Colorado and southeastern Wyoming.  Colder weather should arrive after midweek, but no major cold snap is on the horizon for the Front Range.

The record high temperatures for Denver and Boulder:

Denver: 73 from 1982 (Monday), and 76 from 1888 (Tuesday)

Boulder: 72 from 1982 (Monday), and 68 from 2003 (Tuesday)

We probably won’t reach the records on Monday, but on Tuesday Boulder may get very close if we can keep the high clouds away.

If you are traveling by air this week, a major nor’easter snowstorm Monday evening through Tuesday is likely to shut down airports in Boston, Hartford, New York CIty, and Newark, with ground delays in Philadelphia and Washington.

12:20 PM, Friday, January 23, 2015

Enjoy the mild midwinter weather across Colorado and Wyoming this weekend and into next week. For the Boulder-Denver area, afternoon temperatures are likely to be in the 50s this weekend, and in the 60s Monday and Tuesday.

FYI, the Colorado snowpack is beginning to go over to the negative side of average due to the lack of significant storms this month. For those who are hoping that El Niño conditions will boost our chances for a wet spring, the struggling El Niño is not looking good right now.

6:05 AM, Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Moisture spreading up from the south and a storm system from the NW will combine to bring snow across the Front Range  and eastern Colorado, especially south of Denver.  Snow is underway south of Denver, and  should develop during the day farther north, peak in the late afternoon and early evening, and end overnight.  The timing means that it will likely be a wintry commute this evening in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, with lesser impacts in Fort Collins and Longmont, and little of no impact in Cheyenne.

Accumulations

North of a line from Estes Park to Longmont to Frederick: a dusting to about 1 inch

Boulder, Broomfield, and the northeast side of Denver: this area should be on the edge of the heavier snow and will likely get at least a brief period of moderate or heavy snow– 1-4 inches.

South and west side of Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo: 3-7 inches (heaviest near the foothills).

In and near the foothills southwest of Denver, the Palmer Divide, and the Pikes Peak region: 6-10 inches.

The Sangre de Cristo Range: 10-18 inches.

Only light amounts are expected along the I-70 corridor west of the continental divide.

Drier weather is expected Thursday with afternoon temperatures above freezing

12:25 PM, Tuesday, January 20, 2015

A storm system out of the northwest is likely to impact the region on Wednesday and Wednesday evening with mainly light snow, but some moderate amounts are possible in south Denver. The evening commute on Wednesday may be icy.

Snow is likely to begin during the day, peak late in the day, and end by Thursday morning.

Denver to Cheyenne: expect a dusting to 3 inches with the higher end of the range more probable in the foothills and places like Boulder, Broomfield, and Denver.

South Denver suburbs southward: 2-5 inches, heaviest along the Palmer Divide.

There may be some heavy snow south of Pueblo (6 inches or more).

12:10 PM, Monday, January 19, 2015.

A cold front that will move across Colorado and southeastern Wyoming this evening won’t be very dramatic, but it will begin a several-day period with slightly below average temperatures east of the continental divide. Afternoons are likely to be mainly in the 35-40 range for the Boulder-Denver metro area.

There may be some intermittent rain and then snow tonight with some light accumulation. But most of the Front Range region will probably have little or no accumulation.Tuesday and Wednesday are likely to have some intervals of clouds with a small chance of some light snow.  The best chance of snow for the Boulder-Denver area after tonight is late Wednesday, but it’s still a small chance.  The chance for light accumulation Wednesday is better south of Denver.

You may notice by late in the week that some of your geekier weather friends are talking about the cold in the eastern U.S. contrasting with some unusual warmth along the West Coast.  It does appear that we will get into one for those extreme patterns, especially out west.