Major pattern change to bring big cool down; weekend snow likely

If you are a warm weather lover, you better savor Thursday. A significant pattern change is set to get underway beginning Thursday night as the first of two cold fronts arrive in Colorado.

Ahead of the front, temperatures in the lower elevations will generally soar into the 70s, with 50s and 60s even common in the higher terrain. By dinnertime Thursday, the mercury will begin dropping quickly from northeast to southwest across the state, with much of the state waking up well below freezing by Friday morning.

For northern and eastern Colorado, this will be accompanied by low clouds, fog and mist, keeping Friday afternoon highs stuck in the 40s.

After a brief milder, sunnier break on Saturday, a second, stronger cold front will arrive Saturday night. Cold northeasterly winds will be on the increase, as will the moisture. Snow is expected to break out from north to south during the night and could last through much of the day on Sunday, as temperatures fail to climb above the freezing mark.

While it is still a little early to talk about specific amounts, computer models continue to indicate that snow will accumulate over nearly all of Colorado, with the potential for a moderate to significant accumulation along the Front Range and in the Denver metro area.

Even more importantly, this set up offers increasing hope for the state’s first widespread precipitation event since early September. Denver has not recorded any precipitation to date during the month of October for the first time since 1975, as the drought continues to deepen. So, whether you enjoy snow or not, this upcoming storm will be extremely beneficial in the water department.

Conveniently, this week is also Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. You can learn about the National Weather Service’s mission for getting you prepared for the winter season ahead at https:// www . weather. gov/ bou / wint e r _ w x _ p r e p a r e d - ness_ week.

In the meantime, start preparing for much colder weather and snow to arrive this weekend.