weather

In a month that saw dry conditions expand rapidly across all of Colorado, the situation continued to deteriorate in the southeast corner of the state.

While large portions of the northeast plains of Colorado will remain below the freezing mark Saturday, mountain and foothill areas from Boulder to the Colorado-New Mexico state line will see 50s and 60s, and a risk for fire returns.

Unlike the eastern plains, temperatures will be noticeably warmer over the coming days for the western half of the state; however, conditions will also favor increased fire danger for parts of the southern mountains. Welcome to December in Colorado!

Eastern Plains

Look for a pleasantly warm Friday across the plains - but don't get too comfortable. Highs will be below freezing Friday night until at least Tuesday for most of the region, and overnight lows will drop below zero Sunday and Monday nights in some areas.

While parts of Colorado may see a white Christmas, cold temperatures will be wide-spread for the next few days.

The north central mountains will see the bulk of the snow over the coming days, with 4 to 12 inches by Christmas morning as a new system moves into western Colorado. Some higher elevations could see up to two feet of fresh snow over the next two days.

After a week that saw a substantial increase in abnormally dry areas in Colorado, moderate drought in the western half of the state expanded significantly.

Snow will make a return appearance in many areas over the coming days, along with overnight lows that will approach zero in some areas.

Eastern Plains

Frigid overnight temperatures will be the rule for Colorado's eastern plains over the weekend. Lows will be in the teens Friday night, and further falling into the single digits Saturday. Teens return overnight Sunday.

Friday's highs will range from the low to mid-30s in northeast Colorado to the low 40s further south.

A slow-moving storm will impact travel statewide starting Wednesday night into Thursday. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is warning motorists that winter storm conditions have been are expected through Thursday.  

Sunday starts off cooler ahead of a few warm days before winter arrives - both on the calendar and in Colorado's weather. Snow may accompany the start of the season.

Eastern Plains

Freezing drizzle is expected across much of northeast Colorado Sunday, while the southeast will see patchy fog clearing through the morning. Temperatures will be much cooler than Saturday, with most of the plains reaching only low 40s.