Storm creates unusually wet, chilly start to the weekend

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KUSA – A powerful storm system will continue to move into Colorado on Friday causing rain in the metro area and snow in the mountains.

Severe thunderstorms caused by a strong cold front ahead of the main storm system caused more than two dozen weather warnings on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Quarter-size hail was reported in Fort Collins, Wellington, Bellvue, Fort Lupton, Castle Rock, Limon and many other areas on Thursday. Ping-pong ball size hail was reported in southern Colorado near the Pueblo Reservoir.

Heavy rain also occurred in many areas on Thursday and early Friday morning. Some locations in Fort Collins and Aurora reported more than an inch of rain as of 7 a.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, Denver had received more than a half inch of rain by early Friday morning. Lakewood, Englewood, Highlands Ranch, and Boulder also saw more than a half inch of rain.

For a complete list of rain total click here.Heavy showers also caused the Cherry Creek to rise above normal levels. A few bike commuters decided to brave the water as it rose over the bike paths.The swift moving Cherry Creek had risen so much it was covering at least half of the wheels of the bikes.

For Friday and Saturday, metro area residents should plan on occasional light and moderate rain showers along with cloudy skies and unseasonably chilly temperatures.

According to the 9NEWS Weather Team, temperatures will be 25 to 30 degrees below average for August on Friday and Saturday.

As the very cool air settles into the state, freezing temperatures will drop to about 10,500 feet on Friday, meaning some high country locations will see the rain change into snow.

Locations such as Rocky Mountain National Park, the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Berthoud Pass, and Mount Evans could see several inches of snow. However, the warm ground will prevent much of the snow from accumulating.

Seasonal roads above 11,000 feet such as Trail Ridge Road could be shut down on Friday because of the snow.

Communities along the Peak to Peak Highway such as Nederland, Ward, Allenspark, and Estes Park could also see snow but very little accumulation.

Mountain areas west of the Continental Divide will also see very little, if any, snow.

According to 9NEWS Meteorologist Ashton Altieri, significant snow in the Colorado mountains in mid August is unusual, but not unprecedented.

In fact, accumulating snow has been recorded in the high country every month of the year. In Denver, July and August are the only two months with no records of measurable snowfall. High temperatures in the 50s during August have also occurred before in Denver.