Snow, rain and wind create hazards for travelers

A light snow showers are expected to continue across Colorado’s mountains, foothills, Palmer Divide, and plains on Monday, creating hazards for travelers, according to the National Weather Service. Scattered snow hit each of the areas overnight from Sunday into Monday with little to no accumulation, according to NWS forecasters.

At 3:08 a.m. Monday, the NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook, warning that snow and blowing snow in the mountains may create low visibility and slick roads. The plains can also expect to see rain and snow showers throughout the day, with the majority of snowfall confined to the foothills and Palmer Divide areas. The Interstate 25 Corridor from Denver to Fort Collins will experience wet weather, with rain or snow showers depending on the temperature in the area.

Road usage and warmer temperatures along the I-25 Corridor mean snow is unlikely to stick and will only leave wet roads. No snow accumulation is expected near Denver. Snow near Denver is expected to continue through 1 p.m., before rain showers take over for the rest of the day. Residents can expect a cloudy day with a high temperature near 46 and wind gusts up to 36 mph before winds die down in the evening and low temperatures hit 27 degrees.

Areas up in the mountains and foothills can expect to see 2 to 6 inches of snow accumulation Monday, with icy and snow-covered roads. The heaviest snowfall will hit the Palmer Divide along southern Jefferson and Douglas counties.

In addition to the showers, strong wind gusts in the plains may hit speeds of nearly 60 mph, creating blowing dust and impacting travelers — especially on Interstates 70 and 76, according to forecasters in the hazardous weather outlook.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be mild and dry before a storm cycle approaches Colorado late on Thursday, bringing colder temperatures for Thanksgiving. This cold front will bring light to moderate snowfall to central Colorado that will start Thursday evening and likely continue through Saturday morning. Travel for much of Thursday will be safe, but conditions may deteriorate Friday and Saturday.

Low temperatures across the plains will hit single digits over the weekend, and higher elevations may see low temperatures in the negative. Closer to Denver, high temperatures will hover around freezing, and low temperatures can be expected to hit the teens.

Historic Background: Colorado is known for its unpredictable weather patterns, especially as winter approaches. The state often experiences heavy snowfall and strong winds, making travel conditions hazardous. It’s important for residents and travelers to stay updated on weather forecasts and advisories during this time of year.

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