DENVER — Thursday might be a good time for everyone to stay home anyway.
Wednesday's sunny, warm weather won't last long. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Denver area and a blizzard warning for much of the northeast plains, as a storm system is expected to move into Colorado on Wednesday night.
The latest forecast from Denver7 meteorologist Mike Nelson was calling for eight inches in Denver through Friday morning, with amounts over 10 inches in Aurora, Castle Rock and other areas closer to the Palmer Divide. In the foothills and Front Range mountains, amounts could top a foot in Evergreen, Idaho Springs, Black Hawk and Bailey.
Projections for the storms have only increased over the last couple days. The National Weather Service warned of a "potent winter storm" with heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the plains.
The brunt of the storm is expected to hit the Denver area between 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday.
A potent winter storm will bring heavy snow and Blizzard conditions to north central and northeastern Colorado tonight through Friday morning. #cowx pic.twitter.com/KzrsGwqf8V
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 18, 2020
Because of the warmer temperatures ahead of the storm, we'll likely see slushy snow, but driving conditions will still be hazardous, especially in higher-elevation areas.
The Colorado Department of Transportation issued a travel alert Wednesday afternoon, asking motorists to avoid travel Wednesday night through Friday morning.
**TRAVEL ALERT: Please avoid traveling tonight thru Friday a.m. due to a powerful storm. Staying off the roads allows emergency services, deliveries and other essential services to safely & quickly get to their destinations. Plows can be more efficient, too. #DoYourPartCO #cowx pic.twitter.com/oWqcopuYDy
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) March 18, 2020
Below is our full forecast, through Friday morning, with some projected totals listed below.
Nederland: 15.8 inches
Estes Park: 15.7 inches
Evergreen: 12.9 inches
Castle Rock: 11 inches
Aurora: 10.8 inches
Broomfield: 8.5 inches
DIA: 8.4 inches
Denver: 8 inches
Fort Collins: 5 inches
