Days after 70s, Denver area awaits ‘blockbuster blizzard’
One of the biggest snowstorms in years, perhaps decades, is forecast to blast the Denver metro area with several feet of snow this weekend.
“The storm has the potential to rank among the biggest on record in Denver,” Accuweather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
The storm could snarl travel, damage trees and knock out power not only in Denver, but also in other parts of Colorado, as well as in southern Wyoming and western Nebraska, Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said.
The storm should be a long-duration event, from Friday through Sunday, that could result in snowfall totals nearing 2 feet in Denver and piling as high as 3 feet in locations west of Denver, such as Boulder and Fort Collins, Accuweather said.
Heavy snow will stretch north into Wyoming and Nebraska, where as much as 5 feet could fall in some spots, according to meteorologist Ryan Maue, who called the storm a “blockbuster blizzard.”
Snowfall rates could approach 3-4 inches per hour in some areas, along with thundersnow, Maue said.
The snow and cold will feel “all the more shocking” because of the recent springlike weather in areas such as Denver, Accuweather said, where temperatures of 70 degrees were recorded this week.
The heavy, wet snow could cause power outages and “nearly impossible travel conditions in spots,” the National Weather Service said. Roadways such as “I-25 and I-80 may get shut down late Saturday into Sunday,” Rayno said.
Winter storm watches have been issued and include southeastern Wyoming, northeastern and north-central Colorado and western Nebraska, which will soon be shifted to winter storm or even blizzard warnings.
The three biggest storms on record in Denver had over 2 feet of snow, which remains a possibility with this storm, Accuweather said.
Some locations could see their biggest snowstorm on record, the Capital Weather Gang said.
“Make all the necessary preparations to protect life, property, livestock and pets,” said the weather service in Cheyenne, Wyoming. “Expect extended periods of whiteout conditions, low visibilities and possible power outages.”