Colorado weather alert: Spring storm forecast calls for feet of snow, inches of rain

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·3 min read
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You aren't reading the most up-to-date story on the storm coming Tuesday into Wednesday. Get the latest forecast information here.

A moisture-laden spring storm is bearing down on Colorado, with the forecast calling for feet of snow in the foothills and mountains and inches of rain for Fort Collins and the Interstate 25 corridor.

Here's what to know about the storm, according to the National Weather Service:

Winter storm watch upgraded to warning for northern mountains and foothills

  • A warning means an impactful weather event is or will be occurring. The warning, which was upgraded form a watch early Monday afternoon, is for Tuesday morning through Wednesday night.

  • Impacted areas include Front Range mountains and foothills west of Fort Collins, including Rocky Mountain National Park and Cameron Peak.

Timing of storm will have impact on travel

  • Mountains/foothills: Heavy snow is expected to start early Tuesday afternoon and continue through early Wednesday morning. Expect hazardous travel conditions on those roads and highways during this time.

  • Fort Collins/I-25 corridor: Tuesday afternoon through noon Wednesday. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon through early Wednesday morning with rain chances of 90% to 100% during that time. Tuesday night lows will hover near 32 degrees, which will determine if snow develops. Some areas could see a slushy Wednesday morning commute.

How much snow does the forecast call for in mountains and foothills?

  • 1 to 2 feet and possibly more is forecast for a good portion of the northern mountains and higher foothills elevations.

  • Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour are possible during the heaviest hours.

  • The upper elevations of Larimer County are forecast to receive 18 to 30 inches of snow.

  • The snowfall line will sink to lower elevations as Tuesday evening approaches, but there is greater uncertainty about snowfall totals in the lower foothills.

Here are forecast totals for specific mountain and foothills locations

  • Red Feather Lakes: 6 to 12 inches

  • Estes Park: 5 to 13 inches

  • Berthoud Pass: 20 to 30 inches

  • Rabbit Ears Pass: 8 to 12 inches

  • Steamboat Springs: Trace to 4 inches

  • Winter Park: 12 to 24 inches

  • Idaho Springs: 10 to 20 inches

  • Georgetown: 15 to 25 inches

  • Eisenhower Tunnel: 20 to 30 inches

  • Vail Pass: 12 to 24 inches

Will Fort Collins see any snow, or just rain, and how much?

  • The forecast as of Monday morning calls for only rain for Fort Collins. However, the city is located in an oval where more of the rain could turn to snow Tuesday night. Still, that looks more likely south of Denver.

  • The I-25 corridor is expected to receive 0.5 to 2 inches of rain with some locally heavier amounts possible. Lower amounts are expected mostly north and east of Denver.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado snow forecast: Areas will get feet of snow, inches of rain