Snow blankets Denver metro but heaviest snow remains in Colorado mountains
Dense fog and black ice hazards replace winter weather alerts for Denver on Sunday.
Snow flakes flying across Colorado, Utah this weekend
Parts of Denver saw up to a foot of snow over the weekend and the snow keeps falling. Recent heavy, dense snowfall has prompted avalanche warnings outside of the Mile High City.
DENVER – A storm system that started as rain across the Denver metro area quickly transitioned into ice and snow Saturday, making travel difficult.
A Winter Storm Warning was issued for many communities west of Denver, where upwards of 2 feet of snow was possible through the weekend.
Most of the Denver metro was placed under a Winter Weather Advisory, where 2 to 5 inches of snow fell Saturday. All winter weather alerts had lifted by Sunday. However, a Dense Fog Advisory was in place for Denver and northeast through Julesburg.
The National Weather Service office in Boulder, Colorado, warned of dense fog and patchy black ice for portions of the Palmer Divide and northeast Plains through Sunday morning. Visibility down to a quarter-mile or less is possible for the western suburbs of Denver.
As of Saturday night, Crescent Village saw 19 inches, and Morrison, home to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, received 16 inches, according to the NWS.
'Fat snow' falls in Denver metro
A video by Ann Griffin in Denver shows "big ol' fat snow" covering her backyard during a Winter Weather Advisory for the Denver metro area. (Video Credit: Ann Griffin via Storyful)
The snow made roadways slick and caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at Denver International Airport.
According to data from FlightAware, United Airlines had the most delays, but nearly every carrier faced issues with on-time performance.
![A view from the NWS office in Boulder of the snow covering the Flat Irons on Feb. 4, 2024.]()
Image 1 of 4A view from the NWS office in Boulder of the snow covering the Flat Irons on Feb. 4, 2024. (Image: NWS Boulder) (NWS)
![Snow in Denver on Saturday]()
Image 2 of 4Snow in Denver on Saturday (@JenniferBroome)
![Snowfall in Douglas County, CO]()
Image 3 of 4Snowfall in Douglas County, CO (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
![Near whiteout conditions along the I-70 corridor]()
Image 4 of 4Near whiteout conditions along the I-70 corridor (NWS Boulder)
DID PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL SEE HIS SHADOW OR IS AN EARLY SPRING ON THE WAY?
Near-whiteout conditions were reported along Interstate 70 on Saturday morning, and the Colorado Department of Transportation said it preemptively shut down some passes to allow their crews to conduct snow-removal operations.
"This snow is good to build snowmen, but not to drive in," the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.
By Saturday evening, a narrow band of snow had aligned itself over the mountains, where meteorologists warned of an additional 3 to 8 inches through Sunday morning.
"Consider delaying travel in the foothills through early evening," the NWS office in Boulder warned. "If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded."
ANCHORAGE SEES HISTORIC 100 INCHES OF SNOW WITH PLENTY OF WINTER LEFT TO GO IN ALASKA
Snowfall reports as of Sunday morning, Feb. 4, 2024.
(NWS)
In addition to the heavy snow, the NWS warned of increased avalanche dangers that will last through the weekend and into the workweek.
Forecasters said large and dangerous avalanches would be easily triggered throughout the backcountry and issued watches and warnings, alerting travelers of these conditions.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said through at least the next 48 hours, avalanche conditions were high, at a Level 4 out of 5.