Blizzard Warning 2, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

037 
WWUS45 KBOU 190242
WSWBOU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver CO
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

COZ041-190900-
/O.UPG.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
/O.EXB.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.250319T0400Z-250319T0900Z/
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Including the cities of Fondis, Castle Rock, Kiowa, Larkspur, and
Elbert
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM MDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 
  6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Castle Rock, Kiowa, and the Palmer Divide. 

* WHEN...Until 3 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Heavy snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce 
  visibility to one quarter mile or less. The worst conditions will 
  be now through midnight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, 
have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with 
your vehicle. The latest road conditions for Colorado can be 
obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ046-049-191045-
/O.CON.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.250319T0300Z-250319T1500Z/
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Washington County-
Including the cities of Limon, Last Chance, Agate, Cope, Hugo,
Akron, Otis, and Matheson
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 2 and 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Limon, and Akron.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel is expected to become very difficult to 
  impossible due to heavy snowfall, drifting snow, and low 
  visibility. Road closures will be possible. Visibility will be 
  near zero at times resulting in white out conditions. Travel will 
  be treacherous and potentially life-threatening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get 
stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for 
Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going to 
www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ031-033-034-191045-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and
East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder
Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and Southeast Grand/West Central
and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West
Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Including the cities of Willow Creek Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel,
Laramie and Medicine Bow Mountains, Mt Zirkel, Kenosha Mountains,
East Slopes Mosquito Range, Mount Blue Sky, Rocky Mountain
National Park, Cameron Pass, Berthoud Pass, Breckenridge, Rabbit
Ears Range, Indian Peaks, Williams Fork Mountains, Winter Park,
and East Slopes Southern Gore Range
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 4 and 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park and the 
  Medicine Bow Range, and The Mountains of Summit County, the 
  Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

For the latest travel conditions from the Colorado Department of 
Transportation, including road conditions, road closures, and 
traction laws in effect, go to cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ042-044-045-191045-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-Central and East Adams and
Arapahoe Counties-
Including the cities of Pawnee Buttes, Brush, Goodrich, Raymer,
Bennett, Briggsdale, Leader, Fort Morgan, Grover, Deer Trail,
Byers, Stoneham, and Wiggins
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations 1 to 3 inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Briggsdale, Fort Morgan, and Byers.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Snow and blowing snow could reduce visibility to a 
  quarter mile or less. Plan on difficult travel at times, 
  especially late this evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ048-050-051-191045-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.250319T0300Z-250319T1500Z/
Logan County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
Including the cities of Haxtun, Sterling, Crook, Ovid, Amherst,
Holyoke, Peetz, Merino, Julesburg, and Sedgwick
842 PM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between one and 
  three inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Sterling, Julesburg, and Holyoke.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Snow and blowing snow could reduce visibility to a 
  quarter mile or less. Plan on difficult travel at times, 
  especially late this evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/bou

Barjenbruch

604 
WWUS45 KBOU 190602
WSWBOU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver CO
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER STORM MOVING EAST ACROSS NORTHEASTERN COLORADO...

.A storm system that developed over eastern Colorado this afternoon 
will move east into Nebraska and Kansas Wednesday morning. At 
midnight, the heaviest snow was east of a line from Julesburg to 
Akron to Limon with winds gusting in the 40 to 60 mph range 
producing blizzard conditions over areas further east. West of that 
line, snow was diminishing and additional accumulations will be 
light. However, winds gusting in the 30 to 45 mph range will 
continue to create significant blowing and drifting snow overnight.

As of midnight, highway closures included I-70 from just east of 
Denver to Colby Kansas, and Colorado 86 and US 24 west of Limon. 
I-25 between Castle Rock and Monument was also closed due to earlier 
snow and accidents. Check www.cotrip.org or call 511 for updated 
road conditions and closures.

COZ041-190900-
/O.CON.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250319T0900Z/
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Including the cities of Kiowa, Larkspur, Elbert, Fondis, and
Castle Rock
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM MDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Areas of snow and blowing snow diminishing. Blizzard 
  conditions mainly in Elbert County. Additional snow accumulations 
  up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Castle Rock, Kiowa, and the Palmer Divide. 

* WHEN...Until 3 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel is will be very difficult to impossible due to 
  heavy snowfall, drifting snow, and low visibility. Conditions will 
  be improving in Douglas county during the early morning hours.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only until conditions 
improve. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If 
you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions 
for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going to 
www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ046-049-191415-
/O.CON.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Washington County-
Including the cities of Akron, Matheson, Limon, Cope, Last
Chance, Otis, Agate, and Hugo
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  between 1 and 4 inches, heaviest east of Akron and Limon. Winds 
  gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Limon, and Akron.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel is expected to become very difficult to 
  impossible due to heavy snowfall, drifting snow, and low 
  visibility. Visibility will be near zero at times resulting in 
  white out conditions. Conditions will improve from west to east 
  late tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Alter your travel plans. Heavy snowfall, blowing snow, and poor 
visibility are expected to make travel very difficult to impossible. 
If travel is absolutely necessary, take a winter storm kit along 
with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, 
flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a 
first aid kit, required medications, and anything else that would 
help you survive in case you become stranded. If you become 
stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

For the latest travel conditions from the Colorado Department of 
Transportation, including road conditions, road closures, and 
traction laws in effect, go to cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ031-033-034-191200-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and
East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder
Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and Southeast Grand/West Central
and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West
Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Including the cities of East Slopes Southern Gore Range, Cameron
Pass, Mt Zirkel, Willow Creek Pass, East Slopes Mosquito Range,
Berthoud Pass, Breckenridge, Kenosha Mountains, Rabbit Ears
Range, Laramie and Medicine Bow Mountains, Mount Blue Sky,
Williams Fork Mountains, Winter Park, Eisenhower Tunnel, Indian
Peaks, and Rocky Mountain National Park
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park and the 
  Medicine Bow Range, and The Mountains of Summit County, the 
  Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling, roads will be snowpacked 
and icy.  The latest road conditions for Colorado can be obtained by 
calling 5 1 1 or by going to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ042-044-045-191200-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-Central and East Adams and
Arapahoe Counties-
Including the cities of Leader, Bennett, Pawnee Buttes, Deer
Trail, Briggsdale, Goodrich, Brush, Stoneham, Fort Morgan, Byers,
Raymer, Wiggins, and Grover
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds 
  gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Briggsdale, Fort Morgan, and Byers.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions and areas of drifting 
  snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.


&&

$$

COZ048-050-051-191415-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
Logan County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
Including the cities of Peetz, Sedgwick, Holyoke, Amherst,
Haxtun, Merino, Sterling, Ovid, Crook, and Julesburg
1202 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between one and 
  three inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Sterling, Julesburg, and Holyoke.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions and areas of blowing 
  and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.


&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/bou

Gimmestad

757 
WWUS45 KBOU 190906
WSWBOU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver CO
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER STORM MOVING EAST ACROSS NORTHEASTERN COLORADO...

.A storm system will move from eastern Colorado into Nebraska and 
Kansas this morning. At 3 AM, the heaviest snow was in areas near 
the eastern Colorado border with winds gusting in the 40 to 60 mph 
range producing blizzard conditions. West of Akron and Limon, snow 
was ending. However, winds gusting in the 30 to 45 mph range will 
continue to create significant blowing and drifting snow at least 
through sunrise.

As of 3 AM, highway closures included I-70 from just east of Denver 
to Colby Kansas, and Colorado 86 and US 24 west of Limon. Check 
www.cotrip.org or call 511 for updated road conditions and closures.

COZ041-191015-
/O.EXP.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250319T0900Z/
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Including the cities of Kiowa, Larkspur, Elbert, Fondis, and
Castle Rock
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

North winds gusting up to 45 mph will continue to produce drifting 
snow. Travel impacts will gradually improve. Check www.cotrip.org 
for updates on road conditions and closures.

$$

COZ042-044-045-191015-
/O.CAN.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
Northeast Weld County-Morgan County-Central and East Adams and
Arapahoe Counties-
Including the cities of Leader, Bennett, Pawnee Buttes, Deer
Trail, Briggsdale, Goodrich, Brush, Stoneham, Fort Morgan, Byers,
Raymer, Wiggins, and Grover
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

North winds gusting up to 45 mph will continue to produce drifting 
snow. Travel impacts will gradually improve. Check www.cotrip.org 
for current road conditions.

$$

COZ046-049-191500-
/O.CON.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Washington County-
Including the cities of Akron, Matheson, Limon, Cope, Last
Chance, Otis, Agate, and Hugo
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to 
  one inch. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Limon, and Akron.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult to impossible due to heavy 
  snowfall, drifting snow, and low visibility. Conditions will 
  improve from west to east late tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get 
stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for 
Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going to 
www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ031-033-034-191200-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and
East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder
Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and Southeast Grand/West Central
and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West
Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Including the cities of East Slopes Southern Gore Range, Cameron
Pass, Mt Zirkel, Willow Creek Pass, East Slopes Mosquito Range,
Berthoud Pass, Breckenridge, Kenosha Mountains, Rabbit Ears
Range, Laramie and Medicine Bow Mountains, Mount Blue Sky,
Williams Fork Mountains, Winter Park, Eisenhower Tunnel, Indian
Peaks, and Rocky Mountain National Park
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT EARLY 
THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds 
  gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park and the 
  Medicine Bow Range, and The Mountains of Summit County, the 
  Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT early this morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ048-050-051-191500-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
Logan County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
Including the cities of Peetz, Sedgwick, Holyoke, Amherst,
Haxtun, Merino, Sterling, Ovid, Crook, and Julesburg
306 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Sterling, Julesburg, and Holyoke.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/bou

Gimmestad

033 
WWUS45 KBOU 191117
WSWBOU

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver CO
517 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

COZ046-049-191500-
/O.CAN.KBOU.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
/O.EXA.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Washington County-
Including the cities of Akron, Matheson, Limon, Cope, Last
Chance, Otis, Agate, and Hugo
517 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds 
  gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Limon, and Akron.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest travel 
conditions from the Colorado Department of Transportation, including 
road conditions, road closures, and traction laws in effect, go to 
cotrip.org.

&&

$$

COZ031-033-034-191230-
/O.CAN.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1200Z/
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and
East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder
Counties Above 9000 Feet-South and Southeast Grand/West Central
and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West
Park Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Including the cities of East Slopes Southern Gore Range, Cameron
Pass, Mt Zirkel, Willow Creek Pass, East Slopes Mosquito Range,
Berthoud Pass, Breckenridge, Kenosha Mountains, Rabbit Ears
Range, Laramie and Medicine Bow Mountains, Mount Blue Sky,
Williams Fork Mountains, Winter Park, Eisenhower Tunnel, Indian
Peaks, and Rocky Mountain National Park
517 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Light snow showers can be expected today, but accumulations will be 
under two inches.

$$

COZ048-050-051-191500-
/O.CON.KBOU.WW.Y.0018.000000T0000Z-250319T1500Z/
Logan County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
Including the cities of Peetz, Sedgwick, Holyoke, Amherst,
Haxtun, Merino, Sterling, Ovid, Crook, and Julesburg
517 AM MDT Wed Mar 19 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS 
MORNING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds 
  gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Sterling, Julesburg, and Holyoke.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road 
conditions for Colorado can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by going 
to www.cotrip.org.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service, visit 
https://weather.gov/bou

Gimmestad

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1148 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Red Flag Warning in effect for the Denver metro, southern
  foothills, and portions of the northeast and east-central plains
  today.

- A winter storm will bring snow to the mountains today and
  tonight, with snow likely (50-80%) over eastern parts of the
  plains tonight.

- Closely watching model trends across the metro and plains for
  this evening/tonight. Accumulating snow and blowing snow looking
  much more likely somewhere across the plains, with lower chances
  towards I-25.

- Periods of elevated to critical fire weather conditions expected
  for the urban corridor and plains Wednesday through Friday.

- Near-seasonal temperatures Thursday through Sunday, with periods
  of mostly light mountain snow Thursday night and Saturday.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1037 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Lots of things to discuss this morning. Southwesterly winds have
been slow to develop across the plains this morning, though there
have been some stronger gusts for the plains south of I-70. The
general consensus is that stronger gusts aren't too far off on the
horizon, as deeper mixing continues to develop through the morning
hours. Winds may not be nearly as strong as the HRRR as
suggested... as a couple recent ACARS profiles from DEN suggest
that 700mb winds are ~10kt weaker than forecast. Still, there
should be widespread critical fire weather conditions through the
afternoon hours and no highlight changes were planned.

There have been notable shifts in guidance with this
evening/tonight's storm. Guidance continues to trend towards a
slower/more organized system, with a ~985mb surface low near
south-central KS by 03z. Most of the 12z CAMs now have at least a
few inches of snow across the plains with the HRRR even more
aggressive in bringing snow towards the I-25 corridor/Palmer
Divide. Assuming there are no significant shifts in the next
couple hours, winter weather highlights will likely be issued with
the full early afternoon package. We did update the grids to at
least get a little more snow across the plains but will likely
need further adjustments. Stay tuned!

&&

.SHORT TERM /Through Tonight/...
Issued at 352 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Only minor changes to the forecast through tonight as the
shortwave over the Great Basin moves east across Colorado and
quickly develops a low over the central high plains. There's a
continued slight slowing, maybe an hour or two slower than
yesterday's runs. The onset of the snow in the mountains will be a
little later, but still this morning. And the prospects of much
precipitation along the I-25 corridor before the downslope drying
sets in continue to lessen. So a little more of the ongoing
gradual model trends.

There's been a temporary lull in the wind, due to a little less
flow and a less favorable southwest direction plus it got weak
enough for less mixing. This will change this morning with the
warming and increasing large scale gradient. It will become quite
windy again by late morning, initially with a WSW direction across
most of our area in dry air. Between a Front Range induced shear
zone and the beginnings of cyclogenesis (that's how it happens!)
winds will not be a strong and the dry air mixing should be weaker
across our northern tier. The current Red Flag Warning looks
about right for this.

We issued a high wind warning for our eastern tier of zones, as
these areas should be favored because they're closer to the
developing low as it moves eastward tonight, and the ridgeline
from Akron to Limon and the downhill run southward from there
should produce strong enough winds. There's less confidence for
Sedgwick and Phillips counties being a little further north and
lower. We'll also need to look at the northern border areas for a
pop of strong winds right behind the front in the late afternoon
and evening. There should be less wind there later in the night as
they're too far north, but the frontal passage could be pretty
vigorous.

Forecast temps, precip type, and QPF look alright. There are still
some model runs that produce a quarter to half inch of moisture in
areas east of Sterling, Akron, and Limon. This looks a bit
overdone and also some of it will be rain. But our forecast does
have an inch or two of snow with the very strong winds. Any more
snow than that will produce travel impacts so there's some threat
over these eastern areas. More likely there will be significant
winter impacts just a bit further east.

&&

.LONG TERM /Wednesday through Monday/...
Issued at 352 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Surface pressure gradients will remain healthy Wednesday morning as
the low strengthens upon entering the Midwest, which will keep the
wind machine cranking, producing widespread gusts of 40-60 mph east
of the urban corridor. With cooler temperatures generally in the
40's for the plains, the wind will make it feel notably chillier.
Gradual slackening will occur in the afternoon, but conditions will
stay breezy nonetheless. Although not as dry as previous days, we
won't be quite moist enough to prevent elevated fire weather
conditions along the urban corridor, and potentially a brief period
of critical (i.e. Red Flag) conditions if humidity lowers into the
mid teens (40% chance). Meanwhile, despite a shrinking moisture
profile as QG subsidence builds, enough moisture will remain below
the 500mb level to support light orographic snow in our mountains
through the day, with accumulations of 0-2" for favored slopes.

The Thursday through Sunday period will be dominated by gentle
oscillations in temperatures and periodic mountain snow as
prevailing west to northwest flow aloft is punctuated by weak
successive shortwaves. After an initial daytime lull Thursday
bringing modestly milder temperatures, our first wave arrives in the
evening and overnight to generate light to occasionally moderate
mountain snow showers, with temperatures lowering a few degrees
Friday following the associated weak cold front. The lower
elevations should stay largely dry during this time, with less than
a 20% chance of a shower, mainly along/west of I-25. Unfortunately,
we'll struggle to fully lose diurnal breezy winds both days, so fire
weather concerns may be present across the drier and windier
portions of the plains and urban corridor each afternoon.

Following another break in precipitation in the high country on
Friday, westerly flow will strengthen Saturday as a shortwave
develops over Montana. Currently it appears there will be slightly
deeper moisture to work with, and thus greater potential for
mountain travel impacts. It's not a favorable pattern for lower-
elevation action however, with dry and milder downslope flow
during the day, and again less than a 20% chance of showers either
Saturday night or Sunday following the front.

Looking ahead at early next week, ensembles point towards a warming
and drying trend as upper-level ridging begins to dominate the
synoptic pattern over the western half of the CONUS.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday/...
Issued at 1141 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Low confidence TAFs through tomorrow morning. WSW winds this
morning have been slower to develop than originally expected, but
starting to see a few 25-35kt gusts at the terminals and adjacent
sites. Should see a continued ramp up in winds over the next
couple of hours with more a turn to the west. Guidance has come
in a little weaker with the afternoon W/WNWerly flow. Still a
threat of some stronger gusts in the early/mid afternoon but the
peak gusts look closer to 30-35kt.

A strong cold front is expected to arrive sometime between 22-00z
this afternoon. Some trends towards stronger gusts in the early
evening hours behind this front, with some guidance suggesting as
strong as 50kt northerlies. Did bump up the winds on this a bit
but not totally sold on those solutions. Other aspect with the
stronger storm/front is the increased potential for a few hours of
RA/SN this evening, along with ceilings approaching MVFR
thresholds. If a more organized band of snow works towards the
terminals there would be potential for a couple of hours of IFR
cigs/visby but not confident enough at this time to include. Any
precip should be wrapped up near 06z.

Gusty winds will continue overnight into tomorrow, with a gradual
decrease in speeds through the rest of the TAF period. We may sit
with a BKN060-080 deck most of tonight/tomorrow but this will be
dependent on the storm track overnight.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 352 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Gusty west winds will redevelop this morning, especially along and
south of I-70. Humidities will drop into the 15 to 20 percent
range, lowest in the south, with critical fire weather conditions
expected starting in the late morning hours. A cold front will
bring a shift to strong north winds across the plains in the mid
to late afternoon hours. Snow will develop in the mountains this
morning, with rain and snow showers changing to all snow over the
eastern part of the plains this evening, ending late tonight.
Areas just east of the mountains will likely have little or no
precipitation.

Strong north winds will persist into the day Wednesday with
sustained speeds exceeding 30 mph for a significant portion of the
plains. This will be enough to sustain at least elevated to near-
critical conditions even with slightly improved humidity levels.

Despite overall weaker winds on Thursday, breezy conditions will
linger across southern portions of our forecast area, particularly
from Park County eastward into the Palmer Divide and southern
plains. With low daytime humidity in the 8-16% range, the lower
elevations will see widespread elevated fire weather conditions,
with locally critical conditions possible in the aforementioned
windier spots. The improvement in humidity will be marginal at best
for Friday and, with windier conditions across the board, fire
danger is slated to increase, extending across most of the plains
and urban corridor.

&&

.BOU WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Wednesday for COZ031-033-
034.

Red Flag Warning until 4 PM MDT this afternoon for COZ216-
239>241-243>245-249.

Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ246-247.

High Wind Warning from 6 PM this evening to noon MDT Wednesday
for COZ046-047-049>051.

&&

UPDATE...Hiris
SHORT TERM...Gimmestad
LONG TERM...Rodriguez
AVIATION...Hiris
FIRE WEATHER...Gimmestad/Rodriguez

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
1108 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

COZ030>051-191715-
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Central and Southeast Park County-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
1108 AM MDT Tue Mar 18 2025

This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Snow will continue across the mountains through tonight. Some
travel impacts are expected across the mountain passes due snow
and blowing snow.

Across the plains, critical fire weather conditions are expected
to continue into the late afternoon hours due to the warm and
windy conditions. Rain and snow showers will develop late this
afternoon and transition to snow this evening. Most of the
accumulating snow will fall well to the east of the I-25 corridor.
Travel impacts due to snow and blowing snow will be possible east
of the Denver metro where any heavier snow bands develop.

Gusty winds will also become more widespread across the plains
overnight, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph likely.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Strong winds will continue into Wednesday with gusts of 40 to 60
mph expected across much of the plains. Elevated to near-critical
fire weather conditions will be present.

Areas of critical fire weather conditions will develop on Thursday
and especially Friday across much of the lower elevations,
portions of the foothills, and potentially into Park County.

In the mountains, light to moderate snow showers may lead to slick
conditions Thursday night and again on Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Reports of snowfall or high winds will be appreciated.