Winter Storm System Headed Down the Rockies and Into Denver

The eastern U.S. will not be the only part of the U.S. dealing with the sudden onset of snow on Thursday. Forecasters were caught a bit off guard by the snow that is now coming together in and around the Denver metro area. A small but volatile winter storm is going to dump heavy snow throughout a good portion of Colorado beginning late Thursday and lasting into Friday.

Heavy Snow to Impact Parts of Rocky Mountain Region

The majority of the storms that push to the east over the Rockies typically fall apart as they try to cross over the rugged terrain.

However, there are times when the most powerful storms are able to stay together long enough to complete the journey and unload over Denver and its suburbs. This pattern is what is setting up on Thursday as a storm is expected to move over central Colorado through Friday before dipping down to the south over the Plains.

As is typical with these events, the heaviest snow bands will set up over the higher elevation of the Colorado Rockies. This is good news for ski resorts hoping to build their snowpack heading into the spring season.

The latest forecast models indicate that up to 6 inches of snow could blanket Denver in the overnight hours on Thursday and into Friday. Snowfall rates could hit up to an inch or more during the peak of the activity. Snow that is coming down this fast will inevitably present problems for road crews.

Motorists traveling late Thursday and early Friday should prepare for the possibility of road closures for a short time as crews work to keep up with the intensity of this storm.

Airline delays and cancellations are also likely at Denver International Airport through Friday. As a major hub serving this part of the nation, disruptions at this airport can have a ripple effect on the country's air network.