This epic snowstorm could be Denver’s biggest November in decades

On November 8, 2024By Littum

DENVER — An epic, slow-moving, 5-day November snowstorm will likely go down in Colorado’s weather record books when it ends this weekend.

It’s worth noting that November snows are not out of the ordinary in Colorado. In fact, this was actually one late first measurable snow for Denver, which usually happens in mid-October.

However, due to the long-lasting nature of this storm, it will likely be the largest metro Denver has seen in November in nearly 30 years. The last big November storm was a two-day event on the 13th-14th. November 1994. Officially, 12.1 inches of snowfall piled up at Stapleton Airport with 16.9 inches of snow total that month.

After the second warmest October on record in Denver, this prolonged winter storm is definitely a shock to the system! When all is said and done, Denver will see 5 straight days of measurable snowfall with this storm. The last time we saw this type of prolonged November storm was back in 1991. From November 14th to November 19th, the city picked up 21.2 inches of snow.

As this storm moved south from the Pacific Northwest on Monday, it became an isolated area of low pressure. What does that mean? It was detached from the jet stream so it is on its own agenda so to speak. It can sit and spin and slowly wind its way around the region. Now located in northern New Mexico, it is perfectly positioned (with the help of moisture from the Gulf) to deliver massive snowfall to parts of the Front Range and the Plains.

First, let’s rewind

The first round of snow started flying around 17.00 on election night and did not stop until noon on Thursday. Denver International Airport experienced 38 out of 48 hours of near-consecutive snowfall. And we’re not done yet! The next round of heavy (and even) snow rolls in Friday morning and lasts until Saturday afternoon.

So far, the airport has piled up 8.4 inches of snow, the first official of the season. This is just a taste of what’s to come. We could easily double that amount by Saturday!

The most impressive snowfall has been in Lincoln, Elbert and Washington counties, where between 10 and 20 inches of snow have already fallen by Thursday evening. As the low inches closed in the Northeast all day on Friday, it will allow more snowfall to pile up in that area, especially along the Palmer Divide.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Denver metro and southeast suburbs along with the eastern plains from 6 p.m. 05:00 Friday to noon Saturday. The largest totals will be along Interstate 70 near Limon, Hugo, Agate, Punkin Center and Karval with another 12 to 20 inches of new snow on Saturday.

The immediate Denver metro is expected to see another 6 to 12 inches of new snow. Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Kiowa, Parker and Elizabeth are expecting another 7 to 14 inches of new snow. Fort Collins and Greeley will see very light snowfall from this storm.

Now let’s look ahead

So what does the massive storm in early November mean for the coming winter? Can we expect a heavy snow season?

We took that question to Greg Heavener, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boulder. He told us that it is difficult to predict.

That will depend on the length of the La Niña conditions forecasters expect for this winter, Heavener said. During a La Niña event, the jet stream is pushed north and can leave much of Colorado with below-average snowfall.

But a short La Niña could mean more snow for Colorado.

“If just a few weeks of La Niña, then we could see repeated rounds of this really, really cold air coming in from the north, combined with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to give us these winter storms,” Heavener said.

So the jury is still out on whether we will see more snowstorms like we have this first week of November. In the meantime, bundle up, enjoy the snow days and avoid the roads if you can!

The Great Meltdown Begins Sunday!

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