Winter in the Colorado Front Range foothills is unique in many ways. Periods of very cold and snowy, windy weather can rapidly alternate with tranquil sunny days with relatively mild temperatures. While winters in the foothills communities are generally cold, and it can snow 8 months out of the year, we do not often get the extended periods of bitter cold that other parts of the country, particularly the Midwest and the Northeast, can experience. Weather here in our part of the country can resemble a ride on a roller coaster. In general, we do not have much to complain about. We have plenty of sunny, blue bird days for winter recreation.
After several days with high temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s, colder temperatures will return on Saturday, and they will likely remain below freezing through much of next week. On Saturday, a storm system will strengthen on the Eastern Plains. While downslope winds will limit snowfall east of the Continental Divide, temperatures will be cooling during the day. Morning temperatures will hover around 30 F in Nederland and slowly drop into the low 20s F during the afternoon.
A reinforcing shot of cold air will plunge southward through Colorado on Sunday afternoon and evening. Behind this front, temperatures Sunday night will drop into the single digits with highs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only in the mid teens. Brrrrr. There is also the possibility of some light snow Sunday night into Monday morning as weak upslope easterly winds develop along the Front Range foothills. Moisture will be limited, forcing will be weak, and the upslope winds will be shallow. Because of this, I think accumulations will be very light.
Beyond the weekend. the cold temperatures will remain but things should dry out. A persistent trough over the western united states coupled with a weak ridge over the southeastern states will help to keep us with below normal temperatures, but by and large it will not be a stormy pattern, at least for locations east of the Continental Divide.
Stay warm!