Colorado High Country Bracing for Deep Freeze and Heavy Snowfall
As Colorado’s high country enjoys three more days of unseasonably warm weather, forecasts indicate a dramatic shift as an Arctic air mass sweeps over the region starting Friday. Residents are warned to prepare for harsh winter conditions, including a prolonged freeze expected to last until Tuesday. This weather pattern could significantly impact skiing and travel due to extreme cold and predicted snowfall.
Recent weather records from the National Weather Service reveal that Colorado’s mountain areas have already faced chilling temperatures, with daytime highs struggling to reach 10 degrees at Copper Mountain and a mere 23 degrees in Aspen this week. Light snow has provided minimal accumulation, with only 1-2 inches recorded near popular ski destinations.
Beginning Friday night, forecasters anticipate a plunge into sub-freezing temperatures, lasting approximately 130 hours. Lows could dip between -5 to -40 degrees across the high country, while daytime highs are projected to remain in the single digits for several days.
Snowfall will commence with two waves beginning Friday night and concluding late Monday, bringing moderate to heavy precipitation particularly to ski areas east of the Continental Divide. Initial estimates suggest that the northern mountains could receive between 4-10 inches, with even higher accumulations expected in the southern regions.
Overall, snowfall for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. weekend could range from 5-24 inches in northern mountains and 3-24 inches in southern areas, ensuring that skiers will find plentiful snow despite potentially challenging conditions. Following the storm, a respite in precipitation is expected across the state, leaving many to ponder the impact of this potent winter weather on travel and outdoor activities.