Denver’s dry spell continues this week, but up to 9 inches of snow are expected to fall in Colorado’s mountains starting Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
With no measurable snow in the forecast for Denver through at least Tuesday, the city is on track to record its at least fourth-latest first snow of the season, according to weather service records.
If no snow falls in the city by Wednesday — when a “slight chance” is forecast by the weather service — Denver will pass its third-latest first snowfall benchmark, and a dry Friday would mark the second-latest snowfall on record.
Denver’s latest-ever first snow was recorded on Dec. 10, 2021, according to the weather service.
Snow is forecast to start in Colorado’s mountains Sunday evening and continue into Monday, weather service forecasters said.
Meteorologists expect the heaviest snow to fall across the Park Range, part of the Rocky Mountains in northwestern Colorado and where a winter weather advisory has been issued.
The Park Range will see between 3 and 8 inches of snow from 8 p.m. Sunday to 5 p.m. Monday, according to the advisory.
“Snow covered roads will make travel hazardous, especially through mountain passes,” forecasters stated in the advisory. “Use caution when traveling.”
Other Sunday morning snow forecasts included:
- Up to 1 inch in Boulder, Georgetown, Fraser, Granby, Dillon and Frisco;
- Up to 2 inches on U.S. 40’s Berthoud Pass and at Winter Park, Grand Lake and Breckenridge;
- Up to 3 inches on Loveland Pass, Copper Mountain, Vail Pass and Hoosier Pass on Colorado 9 near Fairplay;
- Up to 5 inches on U.S. 40’s Muddy Pass near Steamboat Springs and Colorado 125’s Willow Creek Pass near Granby;
- Up to 6 inches on U.S. 40’s Rabbit Ears Pass near Kremmling;
- Up to 7 inches on Colorado 14’s Cameron Pass near Fort Collins and on Milner Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park;
- And up to 9 inches on Mount Zirkel, the highest peak of the Park Range in the Rocky Mountains.
Winds are also expected to pick up across Colorado starting Sunday night, including the Front Range mountains and foothills, according to the weather service.
Gusts between 55 mph and 75 mph may cause patchy, blowing snow above 9,000 feet, forecasters said.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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