Mountain Snowfall Surprise: Big Drops Expected Friday

A cold front is moving into the Front Range, and people should expect a sudden change from the warm spell that has kept flowers bright and trees green. Early on Friday, the National Weather Service warned that Denver and Boulder could see up to six inches of snow, which might make the morning drive a challenge. By seven in the morning, heavy flakes were already piling on lawns, though main roads stayed clear. The school district in Jefferson County shut down twelve mountain schools, including the popular Evergreen middle and high schools. Traffic on I‑70 and I‑25 toward Wyoming was also affected, as several accidents occurred in the early hours. The stretch of road near Castle Rock on the Palmer Divide could gather as much as eight inches, adding to travel woes.

Higher elevations will get even more. The central mountains could be covered in as many as fourteen inches of fresh snow by Friday night, according to the weather service. The heaviest accumulation is expected along I‑70 and just south of it, with towns like Breckenridge, Vail, and Buena Vista likely receiving between six and eight inches. These totals will make hiking, driving, and everyday errands more difficult until the storm eases later that evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountains, effective until midnight Friday. Residents should plan ahead, keep an eye on road conditions, and stay updated on weather changes as the storm rolls through.

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