3:45 PM, Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

As of mid afternoon low stratus clouds were thickening along the Front Range in response to the cold east-northeast flow.  Some areas of light freezing drizzle or snow grains may develop this evening, but amounts should be minor.

Later tonight though Friday evening should bring occasional snow (mostly light) and cold temperatures. Temperatures in the urban corridor probably won’t make it to 25 Thanksgiving Day and Friday and fall to the low teens and single digits at night.

Total snow Wednesday night through Friday evening:

Mountains and foothills (southeastern Wyoming to Pikes Peak region):   4-8″

Denver, Lakewood, Castle Rock, Broomfield, Boulder, Cheyenne:  3-6″

DIA, Colorado Springs, Longmont, Fort Collins: 1-4″

But when might it snow the hardest?

Good question, but a little tough to answer since the main storm system won’t actually move through. But this is what I think is the most likely evolution:

Phase 1, Wed night & Thanksgiving morning: minor accumulation (mostly 0-1 inch, with up to 2 inches in some spots near foothills).

Phase 2, Thanksgiving afternoon and evening: this will probably be the snowiest period. Expect winter driving conditions.

Phase 3: Friday: intermittent snow, minor accumulation.

Phase 4: although Saturday and Sunday will likely be less cold and a little less cloudy, there is some question about whether there will be more accumulating snow. I’ll update Friday.