As our latest October storm sweeps through the Rockies, various watches, warnings, and advisories have been issued throughout the state of Colorado.
An intense upper level low pressure system is moving from Wyoming into Nebraska, bringing with it moisture, wind, and cold air to the northern region of our home state. As a result, the northern mountains have already experienced the heaviest snowfall of the season, and additional snow is expected throughout Thursday and into Friday morning.
The Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect until Friday morning, primarily impacting the northern and central mountains. These regions can expect to bear the full force of the storm, receiving at least twelve inches of snowfall accompanied by wind gusts of up to 55 mph.
As the day progresses in the Denver metro area, the wind will gradually increase, potentially reaching gusts of 30 to 35 mph during the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will intermittently occur throughout the afternoon and evening.
There is a possibility of a rain/snow mixture later on Thursday night, potentially reaching as low as 6,000 feet in areas such as Boulder, Golden, Aurora, Highlands Ranch, and Castle Rock.
Colorado is experiencing a decrease in temperatures, particularly in the northeastern quadrant and the western slope, where most areas are in the 50s and 60s. The mountain regions can expect highs in the 30s and 40s, while the southeast will see temperatures ranging from the upper 60s to nearly 70.
Wind is expected to cause problems in both the mountains and eastern plains. High wind watches and warnings have been issued for certain areas in the eastern plains, with wind gusts predicted to reach up to 60 mph. In the vicinity of Walsenburg and Trinidad, as well as in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, gusts may exceed 70 mph on Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday afternoon, Southeastern Colorado is under a Red Flag Warning due to a significant risk of wildfires. With wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph and humidity levels below 14%, even the slightest spark can quickly escalate into a dangerous wildfire.
Parts of the western slope in the valleys and the Uncompahgre Plateau will experience a Freeze Warning on Thursday night through Friday morning.
On Friday, eastern Colorado can expect mostly sunny weather with chilly temperatures. However, the skies will clear further on Saturday, possibly leading to Denver experiencing its first official freeze of the season on Saturday morning.
Following a chilly Saturday morning, the weekend will experience a gradual increase in temperature during the first portion of the upcoming week.
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