Snowfall forecast map through 5am Mon (for approaching storm)

01/04/24 8:45am: Morning, happy Saturday! I made a snowfall forecast map for the approaching storm system through 5am Mon based on the latest model data. Current satellite/radar shows light snow moving into western CO and the mountains now with some dense fog over parts of the front-range (Den/Bou) and the eastern plains with some colder temps (20s) already and some freezing drizzle / flurries in spots.

I'll let the maps mostly speak for themselves:

• The main snow event for the north-central mountains will be form 12pm today through 3pm Sun with light snow lingering into Mon am: generally 6-14" of new snow for the local ski areas / I-70 mountain corridor with highest amounts west of Vail Pass. Highest amounts overall expected in parts of the Park Range (near Steamboat ski area) and Flat Tops (up to 16" in spots)

• For Den/Bou and the front-range areas of fog and freezing drizzle today. Then as the surface low sets up east, with strong wrap-around flow (in the deformation zone) there will be a chance for snow / snow showers primarily from 5pm today through 5am Sun....best chances will be along/east of I-25 and over the eastern plains. Parts of the eastern / southern metro area may get Trace-2" in spots (including the foothills). Parts of the eastern plains may get 3-8" in spots, refer to the map

Strong wind expected over parts of the mountains today: 10am-8pm with westerly wind-gusts of 30-60 mph, strongest above 10k ft. A bit less wind into Sun am...except over the Front Range mountains near/east of the Cont. Divide where the wind will remain strong on Sun (gusts of 30-50 mph)

First image is my snowfall forecast map from now through 5am Mon. Second image is latest surface map showing current temps, dewpt, wind-speed and precip across CO. Images 3 and 4 compare forecast total snowfall from very latest HRRR and ECMWF models, take modeled amounts with grain of salt.