A blast of frigid temperatures has settled over Colorado, bringing with it the potential for significant snowfall across the state. Residents are bracing for a winter storm as the AFC Championship game featuring the Denver Broncos against the New England Patriots is set to unfold in snowy conditions on Sunday afternoon.
The approaching storm has led meteorologists to declare Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as First Alert Weather Days, indicating heightened awareness for the challenging weather. As night descended on Friday, downtown Denver recorded a chilling temperature of 11 degrees, with wind chills plummeting to a frigid -7 degrees at Denver International Airport. Wind chill values across the Front Range and Eastern Plains dipped below zero, with some areas expected to experience chilling gusts leading to wind chills as low as -20 degrees overnight.
The Denver metro area is forecasted to see between a trace to 1 to 2 inches of snowfall by Saturday morning, with cloud cover expected to persist throughout the day. However, more impactful snowfall is anticipated on Sunday morning, coinciding with the big game. As kickoff approaches at 1 p.m., temperatures during the match are expected to hover in the 20s.
In the western mountains of Colorado, significant snowfall is predicted, with some regions possibly receiving up to a foot by early Sunday. Specifically, Summit County and Grand County are expected to see between 4 and 9 inches, while the eastern San Juan Mountains and higher elevations of the Sangre de Cristos could accumulate between 1 to 2 feet of snow once the storm has fully passed.
Caution is urged in the mountainous areas, particularly around Crested Butte, where an avalanche warning has been issued for out-of-bounds and backcountry zones, remaining in effect through Sunday. As the region grapples with extreme winter conditions, residents and visitors are reminded to stay safe and prepare for the weather.