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Will Colorado experience a major snowstorm this week? Potential is there

Will Colorado experience a major snowstorm this week? Potential is there
Posted on | Posted on angela

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More than a foot of snow fell in some Colorado ski resorts over the weekend — and another round is expected for the mountains and Front Range, including Fort Collins, starting Tuesday.

There remains potential for a major snowstorm across the Front Range, but there is still uncertainty about how the storm system will evolve, which will have a big impact on where the storm hits and how much snow the areas receive.

If the low system is positioned just right, slopes will prevail all the way to the Front Range, resulting in larger amounts of snow.

This stretch will become clearer on Tuesday and The Coloradoan will keep you updated as conditions change.

Here's what we know about the midweek storm as of Monday morning:

How much snow will Colorado get with this week's storm?

Here's what the National Weather Service knows and doesn't know about the impending storm:

What the weather service knows:

  • The storm system was expected to move west of Colorado on Wednesday.
  • Moderate snowfall is possible in the middle of the week.
  • The best chance for snow accumulations will be on Wednesday. This could impact Wednesday morning commutes, particularly in parts of the southern Denver metro area and west-southwest of Denver into the foothills, potentially extending into the evening traffic along the Palmer Divide.

What is still unknown:

  • Track of the storm after Wednesday. The further south the low falls, the lower the chance of snow in northern areas of Colorado.
  • Strength of the storm moving into the plains at the end of the week.
  • Duration of snowfall, especially if snow continues Thursday into the weekend.

Estimated snow depths for Colorado ski resorts this weekend

  • Copper mountain: 15 inches
  • Breckenridge: 13 inches
  • Keystone: 7 inches
  • Winter Park: 5 inches

Fort Collins sees a chance of snow this week

Here is the National Weather Service weather forecast for Fort Collins as of Monday morning. The forecast will be updated on Tuesday morning.

  • Tuesday: 60% chance of snow, mostly after 11 p.m., with less than half an inch of snow accumulation. High near 51, with west-southwest winds 9 to 11 mph, gusts as high as 22 mph. Low around 26.
  • Wednesday: 60% chance of precipitation with snow likely, mostly before 11am. Highs around 37 degrees with a north wind 10 to 15 mph, gusts up to 26 mph.
  • Wednesday evening: 30% chance of snow. Low around 20.
  • Thursday: 20% chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high around 39. Low around 21.
  • Friday: Before 11 o'clock it can rain and snow, then it can rain. Partly sunny, with a high of around 43°C. Chance of rain before 9 p.m., then chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
  • Saturday: It can rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high around 52 and a low around 27.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

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