DENVER — Dry and pleasant weather will give way to a major change in the next 24 hours! A strong cold front will bring a major drop in temperatures by early Thursday along with the first snow of the season.
Click here to read Wednesday's updated weather forecast.
This very strong storm system will impact Colorado late Wednesday and Thursday. Much colder temperatures, with highs only in the 30s in Denver- and our first hard freeze is expected. Prepare your outdoor irrigation system now - either drain and winterize completely, or at least shut off the valves and cover the exposed pipes on the side of your home.
High temperatures reached the upper 70s to low 80s across eastern Colorado Tuesday. By early morning, it will still be mild and dry with lows in the middle 40s to low 50s.
MORE: High fire danger across Colorado Tuesday ahead of snow storm that could dump several inches
Wednesday will be warm, just ahead of the strong cold front that will slice across Colorado by early Thursday. Highs will be in the 70s to low 80s in Denver and across the eastern plains with 60s in the mountains. Winds will be strong and gusty from the southwest in advance of the cold front.
Snow will accumulate to 6 to 8 inches in the northern and central mountains on Thursday. In Denver 2 to 5 inches of snow will fall Thursday, much of it will melt on the roads, but will accumulate on grass and may weigh down tree branches.
The snow will end Thursday evening with clearing skies and very cold conditions. Lows will tumble to the teens early Friday, the coldest morning in 6 months and a new record low of 17 degrees is likely, beating the existing record of 22 degrees set in 1946!
Skies will clear quickly behind the storm with sunshine and chilly conditions on Friday and highs in the 40s.
By the weekend, expect sunshine and highs back into the 60s! Mild and dry weather will hold into early next week.
