Fresh snow blankets the Front Range

How do I find out about what the weather is doing this winter in Colorado?

How do I stay informed?
It's important to always keep a radio or TV handy during the winter season. National Weather Service weather watches and warnings are broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio, which is your direct link to National Weather Service forecasts and warnings. Warning alarms on these weather radios could save your life. We encourage you, our listeners, to tell your family and friends about NOAA Weather Radio!

Watches and warnings are also passed onto local commercial radio and television stations and cable TV networks. The Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) also provides a satellite and internet broadcast of critical weather information to all communities.

This Colorado National Weather Service homepage also provides access to Colorado weather forecasts.

What winter weather information should I listen for?
The National Weather Service issues a variety of winter weather products, primarily winter storm watches and warnings, plus snow and freezing rain advisories.

A Snow Advisory is used for winter weather conditions that are expected to mainly cause an inconvenience during the next 12 to 24 hours. Typically you should expect 1-3 inches in lower elevations of the advisory areas and 3-6 inches in the mountains. If caution is exercised, these situations normally do not become life threatening. The inconvenience is often primarily to motorists.

A Heavy Snow Warning is for conditions more threatening than an inconvenience. Snow accumulations exceeding 4 inches at lower elevations and 6 inches in the mountains. Generally these are conditions without the prolonged strong winds of a winter storms.

A Winter Storm Watch provides a forecast for the next day or so, that severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow, in combination with strong wind and/or ice are possible. These conditions may be life threatening or hazardous. Listeners are urged to make preparations now! A watch indicates that there is still uncertainty about the occurrence, location and/or timing of the winter storm conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning is used for severe or life-threatening winter conditions that have begun or are about to begin in your area the next 12 to 24 hours.

A Blizzard Warning is used for life-threatening heavy snow and high winds in excess of 35 mph for long periods.

In addition, your National Weather Service may issue an Outlook to indicate that winter storm conditions may develop and to provide extra lead time of 24 to 48 hours to make preparations.

As the winter storm event begins or while it is in progress listen for a Short Term Forecast, which provides details for the next 2 to 3 hours on snow accumulation and location, wind speeds and wind-chill, and other short term supplemental information issued after an advisory, watch or warning.

All information taken from the State of Colorado Office of Emergency Management Web site