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.

12:15 PM, Sunday, January 18, 2015

Mild and somewhat breezy weather should continue through MLK Day, with perhaps a few snow showers moving into the northern mountain Monday.

A cold front on Monday night should make the Tuesday through Thursday period below average in temperature but not bitter cold (30s in the Boulder-Denver area for highs). No major snowfall is expected, but it will be more unsettled with periods of clouds and maybe a few intervals of light snow. I’ll update that possibility tomorrow.

1:35 PM, Monday, January 12, 2015

There are breaks in the overcast over western Colorado this afternoon, but the Front Range region and eastern plains are likely to stay overcast and damp. Temperatures won’t rise much this afternoon, and Tuesday is likely to be only a few degrees warmer but still below freezing in many areas.

Little snow is expected along the Front Range and eastern plains of Colorado and Wyoming. But given the large & diffuse storm system to our west (that will pass well to the south), there is a small chance of some intermittent light snow Monday night into Tuesday evening. Accumulation should range from nothing to 1 inch, except an inch or two as you go south from the Colorado Springs area.

Western Colorado is more likely to see light snow accumulation Tuesday, with heavy snow (over a foot) likely in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.

My next blog post will be on Sunday. Milder weather appears likely Wednesday afternoon into the weekend, with maybe a tendency for windy conditions by the end of the week.

11:00 AM, Sunday, January 11, 2015

A large, diffuse storm system from the west isn’t expected to bring any heavy snow or arctic cold to the Front Range, but intermittent light precipitation and colder than average weather is expected late today through Tuesday.

Front Range and eastern plains:

A cold front should move through eastern Wyoming and Colorado this afternoon and bring a couple days of cold–but not bitter cold– weather. Today’s temperatures should begin to drop by mid afternoon in the Denver area. High temperatures are likely to be within a few degrees of freezing Monday and Tuesday.

Showery precipitation is likely Sunday afternoon into Monday morning with 1-2 inches of snow in the foothills and a trace to 1 inch on the plains. In the lower elevations the initial precipitation is likely to be rain, so watch for icy areas on the roads Sunday evening.  Monday and Tuesday are likely to have considerable clouds around with brief sunny intervals possible.  Although snow will be more probable west of the area, it is possible that there may be some more light accumulation, especially on Tuesday. A drier and milder period is likely to begin on Wednesday.

Mountains and west:

Widespread snow is likely to continue today with light accumulations in mountain areas of western Colorado and Wyoming. Monday will probably see a lull.  Then Monday night and Tuesday are expected to bring a large area of snowfall in the western mountains and valleys, with heavy snow appearing more likely in mountain areas south of I-70.