Possible snowfall in Denver, 3 feet in the mountains

Another foot of snow could fall in Denver this week and more than 3 feet of new snow is forecast for Colorado’s mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

The first snow of the season stuck in Denver on Tuesday, totaling nearly 2 inches (5 cm) as of 8:30 p.m., according to NWS snow totals. However, forecasters believe the worst of the storm, which is expected to last until Friday, is still to come.

Between 5 a.m. Wednesday and 5 a.m. Friday, downtown Denver and Denver International Airport could see between 5 inches and 1 foot of new snow, according to NWS snow forecasts.

Aurora, Centennial and Highlands Ranch could all see between 7 and 14 inches of new snowfall by Friday morning, and Parker could see between 9 and 17 inches, NWS forecasters said.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Boulder, Jefferson, Broomfield, Douglas, Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Broomfield counties until 11 p.m. Wednesday, forecasters said.

According to the weather forecast, the southern and southwestern Denver metro area will see the heaviest snowfall.

“Travel could be difficult,” forecasters said in the warning. “The dangerous conditions could impact Wednesday morning and evening commutes.”

The southern foothills, Palmer Divide and east-central Plains could experience “near blizzard” conditions throughout the day, according to an NWS hazardous weather warning.

At higher elevations, particularly in Colorado’s mountain passes, more than 3 feet of new snow is expected to fall by Friday morning. Forecasters said:

• Cordova Pass in the Spanish Peaks of southwest Colorado saw between 27 and 44 inches of snow;
• Wolf Creek Pass and La Manga Pass in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado saw between 10 and 21 inches of snow;
• Between 19 and 36 inches of snow could be seen at Cucharas Pass, North La Veta Pass and Pass Creek Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of central Colorado;
• Between 27 and 36 inches of snow could be seen at Raton Pass, near the Colorado-New Mexico border.

A winter storm warning for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and a winter weather warning for the San Juan Mountains remain in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday.