Historic Snowstorm Bears Down on Denver: Up to a Foot of Snow Expected by Saturday

A significant winter storm is impacting the Denver, Colorado area, with historic snow totals expected by the time the storm system moves out on Saturday. As of Friday, the Denver International Airport has already recorded 8.9 inches of snow, surpassing the average November snowfall of 7.3 inches.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Denver metro area, with predictions of an additional 6 to 12 inches of snow possible. This could bring the total snowfall to over a foot, making it one of the largest November snowstorms in nearly three decades. The last major November storm occurred on November 13-14, 1994, with 12.1 inches of snow at Stapleton Airport.

The snowfall is expected to intensify by mid-morning on Friday, with snow rates potentially reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour. The evening commute is anticipated to be particularly hazardous, especially for the south and eastern parts of the metro area. Hundreds of schools, including Denver Public Schools, Aurora, Cherry Creek, Douglas County, and Jeffco Public Schools, have been closed due to the severe weather conditions.

The storm’s impact extends beyond Denver, with areas along the Palmer Divide and the Eastern Plains expected to see even higher snow totals, potentially up to 3 feet in some spots. Travel is highly discouraged, especially on major highways like I-70, which is already closed between Burlington and Airpark.

Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency and activated the Colorado National Guard to assist with the storm response. Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages and to carry winter storm kits if they must travel.

After the storm passes, Denver is expected to see a significant improvement in weather starting Sunday, with temperatures rising into the 50s and mostly sunny skies.