DENVER — An active and colder weather pattern is expected to set up over the western United States, including Colorado at times, over the next 7 to 15 days. The next major storms are expected to affect Colorado from about November 1 to November 5. The north-central mountains have a good shot at snow, with snow levels possibly dropping below 7,500 feet. Denver and Boulder could see their first snow chances around November 3 to 7, though that part of the forecast is very uncertain.
Wetter Than Normal Outlook for Colorado
The 6-10 day precipitation outlook from NOAA, valid October 31 to November 4, shows much of Colorado and the Southwest with a good chance of above-normal precipitation. The wettest signal is centered over Arizona, Utah, and western Colorado. Above-normal chances also stretch across the Plains and into the Midwest.
That outlook lines up with what forecast models are showing. Several storm systems could move through during that time. The overall pattern is expected to favor southern and western Colorado at first.
Complex Storm Setup Around November 1
The next storms involve a tricky mix of weather systems. A colder northern trough is expected to interact with a southern low fed by a very active subtropical jet stream. Models have been jumping around on how those pieces come together.
A model view for Sunday, November 1 shows a strong low near the California coast and another trough to the north. Southwest flow ahead of the storms should favor western and southern Colorado on Saturday and Sunday, October 31 and November 1. The exact storm track will decide who gets the most rain and snow.
Good Snow Chances in the Mountains
The north-central mountains have a good chance of snow from October 31 through November 4, possibly in multiple waves. Model data for Berthoud Pass highlights November 1 to 5 as the next active period for mountain snow. Colder air could drop snow levels down to valley floors, below 7,500 feet…