Near record warmth, Snow this weekend Update Jan 5

Update Thu Jan 5

Near record warmth today, but cooler and snowy weather is on the way.

Models have significantly changed their tune regarding the upcoming weekend storm system. Models now in good agreement that a stronger upper trough will move from the Pacific Northwest into the Great Basin and across CO on Saturday. On Friday, a weak cold front will move down from the north and return temps to near seasoanl norms after our very warm week. Snow will move into western CO Saturday morning, and then move into eastern CO Saturday afternoon and night. For our foothills, looks like snow will begin sometime between noon and 4 pm Saturday, and become moderate to heavy at times overnight. Snow should lighten up Sunday morning, and end around noon. Currently looks like around 4-8 inches are possible for the foothills, with 3-6 inches across the Urban Corridor, and 5-10 inches for the mountains. Bronco game should be free of snow during the game, but cool temps in the upper 20's to low 30's. Since models have strengthened this system in the past 24 hours, additional strengthening is still possible, so snow amounts could go higehr. Expect the NWS will issue a Winter Weather Advisory on Friday if models remain consistent in the forecast.

Early next week should be cool and dry, then another chance for snow on Wednesday.
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"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".

"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".

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Upper ridge over the western US will cause near record warmth across CO this week, with high temps 15-20 degrees above seasonal averages. Breezy at times as well. Latest models suggest a weak cold front will drop south across CO on Friday which will cool temps bac to near normal levels Friday and Saturday. An upper level trough is forecast to move from the Pacific Northwest into CO late on Saturday, which will bring a chance for snow across much of the state late in the day Saturday into Saturday night, although amounts at this time look pretty light, 1-3 inches most areas. Models still not absolutely certain on this system, so it could strengthen or weaken between now and then.

Another upper ridge builds in Sunday through next Tuesday bringing dry and mild conditions before another upper trough will bring a chance for snow next Tuesday night into Wednesday. This system currently looks stronger than the weekend system, but still a long way off.
_________________
"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".

"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".

Bump for Jan 5 update