Light to moderate snow is expected throughout the day in Denver and the surrounding areas as the next snowstorm makes its way through the state.
Heavy snow bands that started along Interstate 70 and south in the mountains will pass into the Front Range through Friday. The highest snowfall will likely be south of Denver from Castle Rock to El Paso County and the southern Front Range foothills.
Denver will likely see between two and three inches of snow through Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service in Boulder said as of 6:35 a.m. Friday the snow was developing quickly and will spread across most of Douglas County.
⚠️Heads up am commuters for the Palmer Divide!
Snow is quickly developing (as of 635 am) and will continue to spread across much of Douglas County impacting I-25 south of Denver. Pavement temperatures will support road snow and slick travel from ~Castle Rock to CO Springs. #COwx pic.twitter.com/mD83qHPnY1
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 8, 2023
Forecasters warned drivers that pavement temperatures will support snow on the roadways and the morning commute on Interstate 25 could be slick.
A winter weather advisory in effect Friday evening in western Jefferson and much of Douglas counties states between two and six inches of snow could fall, and forecasters said that total could rise to seven or eight inches depending on how long the snow bands stay through Saturday.
After these bands make their way into the Front Range Friday, a second round of snow is expected in the mountains about noon Friday, bringing another four to six inches to areas along Interstate 70.
Aside from the snow, temperatures will also be of concern, as lows could drop into the teens this weekend.
Friday’s high is 41 degrees, and the low is 21 degrees. Saturday will see a high of 36 degrees and a low of 16 degrees.
Denver is activating its cold weather shelter plan Friday and Saturday night, opening two former hotels to people needing shelter.
The former Best Western hotel now known as New Directions at 4595 Quebec St. and the former Doubletree Hotel at 4040 Quebec St. will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. both nights.
The Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St., and Urban Peak, 2100 Stout St., will also have expanded capacities.
