Arctic Front to End Southern Colorado Warmth Thursday Night, Bringing Snow and Dangerous Wind Chills

Forecasters expect an arctic surge Thursday night to trigger a sharp freeze with multiple snow rounds into Saturday.

Overview

Red Flag Warnings are in effect 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday for western El Paso, Teller, Fremont and the upper Arkansas River Valley, with elevated fire danger elsewhere along the southern I‑25 corridor.
After a modest cooldown Wednesday, highs plunge Friday with temperatures likely peaking early before falling through the day under overcast, upslope conditions.
The mountains are forecast to receive significant, beneficial snowfall, including totals above one foot in the San Juans with similar dry powder expected along I‑70 and the central ranges.
Light snow reaches the Pikes Peak Region by midday Friday, with the most persistent burst expected Friday late day into Saturday morning and totals of a few inches.
Gusty winds combined with the arctic air will produce single-digit to below-zero wind chills Friday night and Saturday and make mountain travel difficult through the weekend.