Weather
This forecast was created at 8:00 a.m. PST on Wednesday, April 16.
Colorado is transitioning from warm, breezy weather midweek to a potent storm system that will deliver widespread snowfall from Thursday night into the weekend, favoring the southern mountains with the heaviest totals. Expect a sharp drop in temperatures, lowering snow levels well below 10,000 feet by Friday, gradual clearing on Sunday, and modest warming into early next week. The extended outlook trends drier and slightly warmer, suggesting limited additional snowfall through late April.
Warm and breezy conditions remain in place through Wednesday. Afternoon showers will be spotty and generally light in the higher terrain, with gusty winds reaching 30 mph in many mountain areas. Temperatures are running unseasonably high, pushing into the 60s at elevation. Most locations will stay dry, though any brief showers are unlikely to deliver meaningful accumulations.
A marked shift arrives on Thursday into Friday. Strong southwesterly winds will ramp up, with gusts potentially topping 60 mph in the southern mountains. Although midday Thursday remains warm, a cold front advances from the north by late afternoon into the evening. Snow levels start around or above 10,000 feet but should rapidly drop after sunset, resulting in snow even in lower foothill locations. By Friday, widespread snow will take hold statewide, especially in western and southern zones where 6″+ accumulations are likely. Snow ratios generally trend from moderate values Thursday night (around 10-15:1) to slightly higher ratios by Friday night as colder air settles in, leading to fairly light, ski-friendly snow quality.
Steady snowfall persists into Saturday, tapering from northwest to southeast. The central and southern mountains will hold onto snow showers throughout the day, with some spots adding several extra inches on top of Friday’s totals. Daytime highs will remain cold—30s and 40s in the mountains—preserving quality on the slopes. Snowfall winds down everywhere by late Saturday or early Sunday except perhaps a few lingering flurries in far southern areas.
Sunday through mid-next week features gradual warming and drier conditions. High pressure builds in, bringing temperatures closer to normal or slightly below in southern areas. A few isolated mountain showers could pop up in the afternoons, but no significant storms are on tap. Looking further ahead (April 21–29), long-range guidance suggests below-normal precipitation chances for much of the western U.S. and generally above-normal temperatures east of the Rockies. Colorado likely remains in a relatively mild and drier pattern, limiting notable snow events as we move later into April.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Wolf Creek – 11″-19″ Thu night (04/17) – Sat night (04/19)
- Telluride – 9″-16″ Thu night (04/17) – Sat night (04/19)
- Loveland/Arapahoe Basin – 8″-13″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Copper Mountain/Breckenridge – 7″-12″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Snowmass – 7″-12″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Monarch – 6″-12″ Thu night (04/17) – Sat night (04/19)
- Crested Butte – 6″-11″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Winter Park – 7″-11″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Vail/Beaver Creek – 6″-10″ Thu night (04/17) – Sun (04/20)
- Steamboat – 5″-8″ Thu night (04/17) – Sat (04/19)
