Colorado and Nebraska Eastern Plains Face Sharp Temperature Drop as Backdoor Cold Front Triggers Light Snow Risk Friday Night
COLORADO AND NEBRASKA — A backdoor Arctic cold front is expected to surge westward across the eastern plains of Colorado and western Nebraska on Friday, bringing a rapid temperature drop, gusty east winds, and the potential for light snowfall before the cold air mass quickly exits early Saturday.
Unlike a typical cold front that moves west to east, this system will retrograde from east to west, stalling Friday evening along a corridor stretching from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, through Sterling and Flagler, Colorado, down toward Lamar.
Temperatures Expected to Fall Rapidly After Sunset
Forecast guidance shows temperatures along and east of the front dropping sharply from the 40s into the 20s Friday evening as the shallow Arctic air pushes westward. East winds of 5 to 15 mph will reinforce the cold surge, helping colder air undercut the warmer air mass already in place.
The sudden temperature drop may catch some areas off guard, especially locations that remain mild earlier in the day.
Light Snow Possible Along and East of the Front
As the cold air deepens, light snowfall may develop overnight, particularly near and east of the front’s position. While this will not be a major snow event, forecasters say trace amounts up to around one inch are possible before sunrise Saturday.
Snow chances will be highly localized, and not all areas will see accumulation.
Front Unlikely to Reach the I-25 Corridor
Confidence is growing that the cold front will not reach the Front Range or the I-25 corridor, keeping cities such as Denver mainly dry and milder compared to the eastern plains.
Most Front Range locations are expected to remain in the 40s, with near-50-degree readings possible along the South Platte River in Weld and Morgan counties and along Highway 50 in southern Colorado.
Western Colorado Stays Mild, Mountains Colder
West of the Continental Divide, mid-40s are expected across much of the Western Slope, while colder temperatures persist in the higher elevations. Any snowfall impacts will remain focused east of the mountains.
What to Watch Going Into Saturday Morning
The cold air mass is forecast to move east quickly early Saturday, limiting snow duration but allowing slick spots to develop briefly where temperatures fall fastest overnight.
Residents across eastern Colorado and western Nebraska should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, especially during late-night travel.
Saluda Standard-Sentinel will continue tracking temperature trends, snowfall chances, and any updates as this system moves through. Readers are encouraged to check back for the latest local weather coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
