Colorado weather: Snow in the mountains, afternoon rain showers in Denver

Wet weather is moving across the state Friday as snow from the mountains spreads into lower, warmer elevations and turns into rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow that started in the mountains Thursday night will pick up throughout the day Friday, spreading southward to the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor overnight, according to a NWS hazardous weather alert.

Mountain passes like the Park Range and Rabbit Ears Pass will see the most snow accumulation, and travel across them may be difficult starting Friday night, the alert stated.

Slick road conditions across all mountain roads will return after dark Friday and continue through Saturday morning, NWS meteorologists said on X.

The northern mountains, especially near the state border, will see between 3 and 6 inches overnight Friday, according to NWS forecasters.

None of that snow is expected to make its way down to the Denver area — as the storm moves in, warmer weather at the lower elevation will turn snow flurries into rain showers.

Rain in the metro area will be most likely between 4 and 10 p.m., forecasters said. Thunderstorms are possible closer to 10 p.m.

Denver can expect a warm, sunny day before the rain, with high temperatures nearing 60 degrees and light wind in the afternoon, according to forecasters. Overnight, temperatures will dip down to a low of 34 degrees as the clouds move in.