Colorado's First 'Real' Snowstorm is Coming

The peaks of Colorado's ski resorts already recorded their first snowfall of the season, but the storm only left a dusting.

POWDER is elated to report that Colorado will experience its first 'real' storm between Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2024. Widespread snow is expected across The Rockies with up to 12 inches forecasted in select locations.

According to The National Weather Service's (NWS) forecast models, it's unlikely that deep accumulations will be widespread, but it's not completely out of the realm of possibility.

The majority of Colorado's mountains are expected to receive between two and four inches of snow depending on elevation, but the NWS is keeping a close eye along the I-70 corridor for snow to stack up in the six to 12 inches range.

Take a look at the NWS' forecast for the chance of more than six inches of accumulation below. The area is small, but large enough to excite snow-starved skiers waiting for winter to settle in.

Our friends at Powderchasers are in agreement with the NWS' forecast. They are calling for "3-12 inches above 9,500'" with mean totals most likely to fall in the four to six inches range. Give their full forecast a read below:

"Colorado will see it's first measurable snowfall late this weekend. Model data ranges from 3-12 inches above 9500K. Our forecast will split the mean to 4-6 favoring the eastern areas. Upslope winds might pop some surprise totals near the Divide. Rainfall will be abundant Saturday night at low elevations favoring the southern Front Range east to the Plains. The GFS has 3 plus inches of water while others less."

Colorado's first forecasted measurable snow led meteorologist Chris Tomer to produce multiple 'Mountain Weather Update' videos over the last couple of days. He's tracking the storm, and is forecasting similar snowfall totals across Colorado, but is tempering expectations.

While his forecasts earlier this week predicted upwards of 12 inches in various locations across Colorado, Tomer now believes that only "three to eight inches" is likely above tree line in locations like Loveland Pass and Winter Park.

It's not unusual for Colorado to experience snowfall throughout late September and into early October, but the first 'real' storm of the season always gets the juices flowing. Seeing our favorite peaks covered in a blanket of white after a long and hot summer is as comforting as it is exciting.

Don't expect to whip out your rock skis for this storm, but it's certainly time to start preparing for the season. Keep an eye out for locations like Loveland Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Copper Mountain and Keystone Resort to begin snowmaking in the next two weeks, if conditions allow.

Winter is coming, are you ready?

Related: La Niña Odds Increased in NOAA's Latest Update

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