Morning Weather Forecast and Status Updates

 The Colorado Division of Emergency Management will be posting current weather status and forecast throughout the day as we complete conference call updates with the National Weather Service Boulder.

8 AM Weather Status Update

The snow will be tapering off today from the North moving South today.  Currently the line is around Ft. Collins and we should see the storm moving out of the area to the South around Noon to 2 p.m. this afternoon with an additional accumulations.  Winds will be still be from the North tapering off also as the storm moves out this morning and very diminished winds by noon.  We should see winds 8-12 MPH West of I-25 and 10-15 MPH East of I-25
Current Accumulations & Anticipated new accumulations:
  • Foothills 6-9k Ft. received 18-24 inches and will see new accumulations of 3-6 inches
  • West of the Metro Area received 9-14 inches and will see new accumulations of 2-4 inches
  • North of the Metro Area received 3-6 inches and will see new accumulations of around 1 inch.
  • South of the Metro Area received 9-12 inches and will see new accumulations of 2-5 inches
  • East of the Metro Area received 4-6 inches and will see new accumulations of 1-2 inches.
  • DIA received 4-6 inches and will see new accumulations of 1-2 inches.
  • Metro Area - Downtown received 7-10 inches and will see new accumulations of 1-2 inches
  • Palmer Divide received 12-15 inches and will see new accumulations of 2-5 inches.
Currently No actions to activate the State EOC at this time.  Currently OPS and Situation are working in the EOC maintaining situational awareness.

10 AM Weather and Status Update

A 9 a.m. conference call with the National Weather Service Boulder, local emergency managers and CDEM provided the following updates:
  • Snow fall remains about the same as this morning with 1-2 inches expected in the next couple of hours for most areas.  In the foothills beginning in Morrision and continuing south to Castle Rock will receive 3-4 inches of snow.
  • All snow fall should come to an end between 3-5 p.m.
  • The weekend forecast is quiet on the weather front with a nice white Christmas.
  • Low temperatures in the 0-10 degree range will occur for a short time and begin warming up overnight.
  • Baca County has opened one shelter due to adverse road conditions. There are 71 people currently at the shelter.
  • There are no local emergency operations centers activated at this time.
  • There were no major road closures reported.
  • The State EOC has not been activated, however, Operations and Situation ESFs are working in the EOC to maintain situational awareness.
  • The next conference call will occur around noon.

1 PM Weather and Status Update

A 12 p.m. conference call with emergency managers from southern Colorado, CDOT, DOC, CSP and CDEM was coordinated by the South/South East Region Field Manager.
  • Each county shared information on snow fall totals and road conditions.  County and cities are busy plowing snow.  
  • Law Enforcement agencies are responding to motor vehicle slide offs.
  • Many of the counties and cities were closing offices early today and encouraging citizens to limit driving is possible.
  • There were no requests for resources made at this time.
  • There were no life safety issues.
  • There were no other conference calls scheduled for Thursday.

Contact Micki Trost, CDEM PIO, with any questions at micki.trost@state.co.us or 303-472-4087.