Here are the key topics we’ll cover in this story about the frigid temperature forecast for Colorado:
- time of cold front and snow
- travel impact
- how cold it will be
- The cold hard facts of Fort Collins, including the record that may be broken this week
- Tips on how to keep yourself and your animals safe
If you go to grandma’s or anyone’s house before Christmas, you’d better be careful.
A hit-and-run arctic cold front is expected to roll into Colorado on Wednesday, bringing freezing temperatures and snow that will disrupt travel plans across much of the country on Friday before disappearing before Christmas on Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued wind chill watch for fort collins From 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 23, from Steamboat Springs east to the Nebraska state line and as far south as Colorado Springs. This could be upgraded to a warning as the cold front approaches.
“One of the interesting things about the forecast is that it’s all going to happen very quickly on both ends,” said Russ Schumacher, a state climatologist and director of the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University. “The other thing that makes this campaign stand out is It’s going to be very cold and windy. We don’t often get both at the Front Range.
“So, it would be a dangerous situation for people and animals outside, exposed to nature.”
When Cold Fronts and Snow Reach Northern Colorado
Seasonal temperatures will hover around the 40s on Monday and Tuesday for much of the region, drop to the mid 30s on Wednesday, and then wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
Wednesday 21 December: The cold front is expected to reach northern Colorado on Wednesday night. You’ll notice it as temperatures are expected to drop rapidly. The arrival of the cold front is expected to produce light snow that will be blown away by wind gusts of 25-50 mph.
Thursday, December 22: Heading east from the Interstate 25 corridor, it was cold in many places, with temperatures below 0 degrees or barely reaching 0 degrees due to light snow.
Friday, December 23: The cold front started to move out, leaving behind frigid temperatures before giving way to a rapid warming trend over Christmas and next week.
How Colorado’s Cold and Snow Can Affect Your Christmas Travel Plans
If you’re traveling for Christmas, the earlier in the week the better.
Slippery roads are possible and there will be dangerously cold winds that threaten to stall or damage those in the vehicle. It is recommended that if you are traveling from Wednesday night to Friday morning, bring extra items for emergencies and to charge your phone.
Depending on when the cold front arrives, commutes could be affected on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Air travel through Denver International Airport may be affected. It is recommended to check with your airline about possible delays and cancellations at DIA and other airports across the country.
Forecast highs and windchill values for Fort Collins and other area towns
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, here are the forecast highs and wind chill values Wednesday night through Thursday night:
Fort Collins: 1 degree higher. A wind chill of minus 36 degrees.
Greeley: 2 degrees higher. A wind chill of minus 39 degrees.
Red Feather Lake: 1 degree higher. A wind chill of minus 42 degrees.
Estes Park: 5 degrees high. A wind chill of minus 42 degrees.
Cheyenne: A high temperature of minus eight degrees. A wind chill of minus 49 degrees.
Boulder: 2 degrees higher. A wind chill of minus 30 degrees.
Denver: The high temperature is minus 2 degrees. A wind chill of minus 32 degrees.
diameter: A high temperature of minus 5 degrees. A wind chill of minus 41 degrees.
Walden: Zero high. A wind chill of minus 52 degrees.
Fort Morgan: A high temperature of minus 5 degrees. A wind chill of minus 45 degrees.
Akron: The high temperature is minus 10 degrees. A wind chill of minus 52 degrees.
GBP: A high temperature of minus seven degrees. A wind chill of minus 51 degrees.
Cold December Facts Fort Collins
According to Schumacher, here’s how cold this week ranks with the city’s coldest weather:
- Fort Collins’ longest cold snap occurred December 21-24, 1983, when it didn’t reach above freezing.
- Other major cold snaps around Christmas occurred on December 22, 1989 (minus 22 degrees) and December 22, 1990 (minus 24 degrees).The record low of -16 degrees set on December 23, 1990 may be threatened as weather services are disrupted predict A low of minus 14.
- On December 9, 1919, the all-time low for December was minus 35. The city’s all-time low for any month was minus 41 on February 1, 1951.
- It’s been 25 years since Fort Collins had a day when the heat stayed below zero. Thursday’s forecast high is 1 degree. The last time the city had temperatures below zero was on January 12, 1997, when it hit minus 3 degrees.
- Automatic wind chill records began in the mid-1990s at the city’s official weather station located on the Colorado State University campus. The lowest wind chill since then was -25 degrees on December 15, 2008. A wind chill of minus 30 degrees is forecast for Thursday morning and minus 31 degrees for Friday morning.
Safety Tips for Humans, Pets and Livestock
Humanity: In the worst conditions, there is a risk of frostbite in as little as 10 minutes. Avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors. Wear layers of warm clothing and cover as much skin as possible. If the pipes are prone to freezing, open the cabinet door or let the water drip off. Do not use the stove for heating. Use only electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches, inspect them regularly and keep any heater at least 3 feet away from flammable materials.
pet: May die from exposure. Keep pets indoors.
livestock: May die from exposure. Check and secure livestock and make sure water sources are not freezing.
More: the bestWhere to Find the Best Holiday Lights in Fort Collins (and Beyond)
