DENVER — Winter is soon to hit Denver, and it's coming a little quicker than some realize. The first storm of the season to hit the city will likely collide between Sunday night and Monday morning, making for a messy commute.
A strong cold front will move into Colorado from the northern Rockies. Snow will begin over the northern mountains, and the snow will move to the foothills after midnight, making its way down into the Denver metro area between 3 and 5 a.m. on Monday.
Where to watch
First, it will be cold, especially east of the Continental Divide. We should see snow down to 5,000 feet — virtually all of the Denver metro area — on Monday. Roads might be a bit slick in Denver metro, but mainly wet except for the south and west suburbs above 6,000 feet.
The foothills west of Denver will likely see a better chance for snow-covered roads through the day, especially east of the continental divide, where the heaviest snow is expected.
In the foothills east of the divide, expect 6-12 inches. For areas near and west of the divide, 2-4 inches is more likely.
While it will not be a huge storm, it will be the earliest snow in several years.
Tree Damage
The wet, heavy nature of the snow will cause tree damage as most metro trees are still fully in leaf. This could create some power outages early Monday as branches fall.
Snow Tires and Winterizing
This presents a great time to get your car ready for snow and cold. Drivers may want to swap out their tires for snow tires this weekend. Restock on essentials like anti-freeze and snow brushes.
Seasonal Snow Outlook
These October storms are exciting, but they do not tell us anything about the amount of snow that will fall in the coming season.
A great example is the storm of 1997, known as the Great October Blizzard, which is about to hit its 20th anniversary. After that epic storm, the rest of the 1997-98 snow season was fairly dry.
