All morning we watched from Denver has northern Colorado was blanketed with heavy snow under some incredible jet stream dynamics. The question was - would the jet sag far enough south to bring heavy snow to Denver. Over the last several days models have struggled with a solution, but shortly after lunch snow began in earnest across the metro area.

As of the posting of this article (5:00pm) we have received about 4.5" of snow in town, with moderate snow bands continuing to move into from the southwest. Needless to say, we will certainly hit all of our predicted totals, and in many cases break them. I have reduced the Bust Index for all locations to 1.

The next question becomes. . . how much more snow do we see tonight. Several models try to bring in several (4"+) to Denver overnight into Tuesday. We will need to watch this closely, as things at this time do not show much signs of letting up. If we can keep snow going into the overnight hours, it will have an even better time sticking, which could be very good for us. Best chance for highest totals could very well be north of Denver once more tonight. We will update totals as necessary, and keep you posted if the NWS decides to issue any kind of advisory for Denver.

Here is a quick video I took a few minutes ago - shows heavy snow and a slow rush on Broadway in Denver.

Source: AccuWeatherColder, windy, and unsettled weather is still in the forecast for the first half of this week, the big question remains around the snow potential in Denver. Models cannot agree on how far south the cold air and upslope will make it, and therefore there are still some wide discrepancies on totals. Generally, the trend has been for less snow in Denver, and with that we are keeping totals down for now.

Our forecast as of Sunday afternoon is calling for 1 - 4" of snow in Denver by Tuesday afternoon. Should it start to look like the colder air will sink a bit further south as the ECM and GFS suggest, we may bump those totals just bit over the next 24 hours. Three things major components that will help determine if and how much snow we see in Denver Monday-Tuesday are:

1) Position of frontal boundary
2) Temperatures - how much precip will be frozen v. liquid
3) Tuesday daytime temperatures could make it hard for accumulation, even if it is all snow

It still appears there will be a better chance for accumulating snow north of Denver. I am going to leave totals pretty generous this afternoon for areas like Greeley and Fort Collins, but with that will also have a raised Bust Index as the trend has me a bit worried about those totals even well north of the city. There could be some good banded precip with this system (even in Denver) that may lead to greatly varied totals in the end.

We will have another chance for snow Wednesday across the region. Please note that the totals outlined above do not include Wednesday, they are good through Tuesday afternoon. Models are pretty split on snow potential Wednesday as well, but all models bring in much colder air Wednesday afternoon, so the rain/snow line will be much less of a concern should than it is tomorrow night.

A lot to watch over the next 24 hours. I like our chances of seeing some rain and snow this week, but we continue to be right on the edge of accumulating snow.

Chance of accum. snow SundayThe next big system is starting to move into the mountains right now. The chance for snow for Sunday is this image.

As this system blows over the state, quite literally with very strong wind expected the next few days, heaviest snowfall will be in the mountains.

What is left of that mountain snow will try to fall over the northern Front Range. As of today, it appears the best chance for accumulating snowfall will be north of I-70/I-76.

You can see the chance for accumulating snow for Monday here: http://twitpic.com/cj56gs

And for Tuesday here: http://twitpic.com/cj55zo

Note, these are not amounts of snow. Rather, the likelihood of accumulating snow. See how close Denver remains on the "edge" of the chances...that goes back to my earlier statement that as of now, the better chance for snow will be in the mountains and northern Front Range.

There are several caution flags with this system:

1) Denver is on the edge of warm air, does that colder air push south, or hide farther north?
2) Amount of moisture around to add more snow Tuesday night and Wednesday?
3) Does a surface low pressure area develop strongly enough to boost snow?

Wind speed and directionSaturday is your outdoor day this weekend, by Sunday our next system will start to move in.

You will notice a strong wind developing this weekend, and that (WIND) will be the theme for this next system. And, wind is exactly what is on this image.

This graphic is one computer model's wind speed and direction forecast for Monday at lunchtime, at an elevation of about 35,000 feet above sea level.The stronger wind speeds are colored blue, with dark blue being the strongest. Instead of a strong surface snow maker, this one will be an upper level wind snow maker and will last a few days.

Although some rain/snow is possible before the end of the weekend, the bulk of moisture will arrive Monday through Wednesday, mostly in the form of snow it appears. Snow will be heaviest during periods of strongest winds in the higher atmosphere.

Why care about wind 6 miles into the sky? Here is your analogy. . . imagine a chimney. As strong wind passes over your house it "sucks" up the air from the chimney (kind of like a drink straw). That motion of rising air is what will happen when these strong winds pass over the state next week. (Also when there is strong wind over your house you may notice your toilet water in the bowl is at a lower level).

Rising air is what makes all wet weather. As air rises is cools, the moisture condenses and falls as rain or snow. (Sinking air heats and dries up).

This will be the upslope situation that was missing from the snow that hit earlier this past week.

The tricky part will be the timing of those smaller pockets of strongest wind. So small they may only create snowbands of several inches over just a few counties at a time. But, with multiple snow bands forming from Monday through Wednesday some areas will have a good snow field by mid-week.

It is really early yet, but plan on colder, wetter, and potentially slick travel days Monday through Wednesday.

We will continue to update through the weekend as we get closer to these changes in our weather. For all the latest, please subscribe to Brendan's Weather.