Arctic Blast Hits Denver, Brings Frigid Temperatures and Snow
DENVER — An arctic blast struck the Denver metro area late Friday evening, bringing a dramatic drop in temperatures and frigid conditions that are expected to persist into next week. The storm delivered bone-chilling winds, flying snow, and highs struggling to surpass 15 degrees Fahrenheit in the city.
Between 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, Denver received 4.5 inches of snowfall, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. Western suburbs experienced higher totals, with Lakewood accumulating 7 inches and Golden recording 6.4 inches. Areas southwest of Denver also received significant snowfall, including Ken Caryl with 6 inches and Kassler with 7 inches. Notably, southwest Golden saw the most accumulation, with reports of 13.5 inches around 7 a.m. Saturday.
Despite minimal snowfall at Denver International Airport (2.2 inches), the storm resulted in significant travel disruptions, with 428 flight delays reported by 4 p.m. on Saturday. Fortunately, the airport did not experience any flight cancellations.
While icy road conditions posed challenges for drivers, major road closures were not reported, thanks to efficient snowplow operations maintaining clear routes for travelers.
As the snow subsides, the bitter cold remains a concern, with Sunday’s highs forecasted to remain in the single digits. Another round of snow could arrive in the evening, potentially bringing an additional 1-2 inches by Monday morning, when temperatures are expected to plunge to around minus 12 degrees. Wind chill factors could push temperatures down to as low as minus 30 degrees, with the extreme cold lasting into Tuesday. Residents are advised to prepare for these sharp temperature drops and stay safe on the roads.