Everyone always wants to know, will we have a white Christmas this year? Impressively, it looks like Denver just might. I say impressively, because should it snow Christmas Eve, this will make the fifth white Christmas for Denver in the last six years. I say impressively, because getting it to snow in Denver over the last few months has been just next to impossible. Yet snow is in the forecast, and it looks more and more probable that we will have accumulating snowfall late Christmas Eve into Christmas day.

Snow totals for this event look very similar to this week's snow. Largely light accumulations are expected across the Denver metro area. An aggregate of all the models would suggest totals in Denver will range from 1 - 3 inches, with greater amounts possible in the western and southern suburbs. As always, it is important to point out that we are still several days from this event, and these number could still fluctuate greatly.

The Christmas storm will bring with it another shot of cold air for the region as well. Highs Tuesday are forecast to remain in the lower 20s as the snow clears. While the sun returns Wednesday, cool air will be entrenched in the region, and with fresh snow cover will likely keep highs in the 30s through the end of next week. By Friday, we could be talking about another quick shot of snow - so stay tuned!

10:45pm UPDATE: Models continue to downplay storm totals for Denver. Given a number of factors (speed, moisture, etc), I am forced tonight to bring down the totals once again for Denver. At this time, this event appears headed for a 1 - 3" event, rather than the previously forecast 3 - 8". Not entirely shocking, but completely frustrating. Prove me wrong snow, prove me wrong.

Previous update...
The forecast remains mostly on track from yesterday's post. This afternoon the National Weather Service dropped the Winter Storm Watch for Denver and replaced it with a Winter Weather Advisory. The Advisory goes into effect 3am Wednesday, and will likely expire Wednesday afternoon.

While the Advisory calls for 3 - 8" of snow for Denver, I would suspect most in Denver are on the lower end of that spectrum. Models shied away from the highest totals today, and there are questions around how much upslope we can get. I am going to call for generally 2 - 4 inches in Denver with locally higher amounts. I will also advise that some people may be wholly disappointed with their totals from this storm. Time will tell.

Accompanying the snow, will be the wind. A Blizzard Warning will go into effect for much of the eastern plains later tonight. Snow amounts are expected to be light, but north winds of 20 - 40mph, and gusts to 50mph, could cause poor visibility and dangerous travel.

Still another round of model runs to get through before the snow starts to fly, but I would expect little to no change. With any luck this storm will not completely fizzle, something we have come all too familiar with over the last several months.

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Winter storm set to bring snow and blowing snow to northeast Colorado
The National Weather Service in Boulder has done something they have not had to do in a very long time, and that is hoist a Winter Storm Watch for the greater Denver metropolitan area. The Watch goes into effect late Tuesday night through midday Wednesday.

If the NWS is correct in their thinking, widespread totals of 4 - 8 inches will be *possible* with this storm. With still plenty of time to fine-tune the numbers, I would still put Denver closer to the 3 - 6 inch range. Latest models continue to keep the heaviest snowfall totals north of Denver, with some suggesting the city receives only about 2" of snow. We will keep a close eye on things and update as necessary.

In addition to the snow, will be the wind. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph will be possible, with gusts to 40mph. This will create blowing and drifting snow, and hazardous driving conditions. A Blizzard Watch has already been posted for the far eastern plains of Colorado where "significant blowing snow" and poor visibility is likely.

Not much has changed in for the mountains - heavy snow still expected in many communities through Wednesday. Anywhere from 10 - 24 inches of snow will be possible with this storm. For all the latest snow totals and conditions in the mountains: FreshyMap.

This is a still developing storm - more to come as we head into the next 12 to 24 hours. Stay tuned!

It has been a remarkable amount of time since a widespread snow event for northeast Colorado has looked anything close to promising. This may just be the week, as a strong cold front and upper level trough move through the state sometime late Tuesday. Lots of time between now and then for things to take shape, and given our track record this season I will emphasize my cautious optimism regarding this storm. Timing, speed, snowfall amounts, etc. . . are all questions we will be answering over the next couple of days.

There is far more certainty regarding snow in the high country over the next couple of days. The start to this season has been (while late) very impressive in portions of the Colorado high country. Places like Wolf Creek Pass in southwest Colorado have received several feet of snow over the last couple of days. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of northwest Colorado where 1 to 2 feet of snow could fall by Tuesday night.

Colorado is not the only state under this very active weather pattern. Resorts from New Mexico to Washington have received copious amounts of snow over the last couple of days, and more is on the way. Resorts outside of Salt Lake City will see some of the most impressive snow totals, with 31" in the forecast for Snow Basin by late Monday night. Take a look at the following image of FreshyMap this morning. Impressive snow totals almost across the board.

It should be an exciting couple of days whether you are powder seeking skier or eagerly awaiting our first "real" snowfall in Denver this season. Stay tuned!