Cool, Unsettled Saturday: San Juan Snow and Late Showers Near Colorado Springs

A change is underway across Southern Colorado as a weather system moves in from the west, bringing a cooler, unsettled Saturday with mountain snow, scattered showers, and a few breezy periods on the plains. Matt Meister has the local breakdown for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, the mountain communities, the San Juans, and the eastern plains. The most significant snow and the greatest chance for travel impacts will be in the southwest corner of the state, especially across the San Juan Mountains. Snow is heaviest there this morning, then gradually decreases through the afternoon. Several inches are possible at higher elevations, so travelers heading through the San Juans should be ready for winter driving conditions and changing visibility. Elsewhere in the central mountains, including around Monarch Pass and Poncha Pass, snow is expected today but amounts should be lighter than farther southwest. The higher peaks of the Sangre de Cristos can also pick up a few inches. Pikes Peak may see a couple inches of snow, though the more notable mountain travel concerns stay focused on the San Juans. It will feel noticeably cooler across the region. Where clouds stay thick, many communities may remain in the 40s. A few spots that catch breaks of sunshine could reach the low to middle 50s, especially along parts of the I-25 corridor. High mountain areas stay colder, with temperatures in the 30s. For outdoor plans in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, and nearby communities, the morning looks like the better window to get outside before shower coverage increases. By around midday, showers spread eastward, especially along and south of Highway 50 and out toward the Kansas border. There will be more than one wave of precipitation during the day, so conditions may vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Through the afternoon, showers become more common across the local mountain communities, Pikes Peak, and areas along I-25. The chance for showers around the Palmer Divide and the Pikes Peak region may be lower than it is farther south for part of the day, but that does not mean the day will stay dry everywhere. Keep the rain gear handy if you have Saturday errands, games, or outdoor plans. An earlier wave may push showers across far eastern Colorado and into western Kansas. Later in the afternoon, another wave brings a better opportunity for showers across the region. A few isolated thunderstorms are possible with the passing waves, particularly where a stronger shower develops, though this is not an all-day washout for most city locations. Between roughly 3 and 6 p.m., a small circulation is expected to develop south of Pueblo as the system transitions to its backside. That setup could bring Colorado Springs one of its better chances for showers during the final couple hours of the day. It may also briefly enhance snow showers over nearby mountain communities around sunset. Teller County could see a dusting of snow, with a quick inch possible in a few places and perhaps a little more on grassy surfaces and trees. A couple of locations in Fremont County may also see some late-day snow. Wilkerson Pass could pick up some snow as shower activity focuses over the higher terrain late in the day. Temperatures near the Palmer Divide may fall close to freezing this evening. If showers linger long enough, rain could mix with or change to snow in a few spots. At this point, shower activity looks likely to end fairly quickly during the evening and overnight, which may limit how much accumulation occurs outside the higher terrain. Winds will be noticeable over the plains ahead of the developing circulation near the Colorado-New Mexico border. As the system shifts east and the flow wraps around it, winds will turn across southeastern Colorado. That change should help bring showers to an end during the evening, though roads in the mountains and on higher passes can remain slick where snow falls. Sunday starts with snow still around the mountains and some snow possible along the foothills. Clouds may hang on over the eastern plains for much of the day while the departing system remains close enough to influence the weather. Expect another cool day overall, with highs mainly in the 40s and 50s. The warming trend begins Monday. Plains communities should see more 60s return, while mountain locations climb back into the 50s. Monday looks quieter after the weekend system, offering a better chance to catch up on outdoor chores or travel before the next wave approaches. Tuesday also looks generally quiet at first, but another system is expected to move toward Colorado. Its main effects appear to favor the mountains, especially areas along the Continental Divide, with another chance for snow heading into Tuesday night and Wednesday. Mountain travelers should keep an eye on later forecasts if they have plans through the high country during the middle of the week. Our Weather. Together. [P2P:HD]