Denver Weather Today: Light Snow, Slick Roads, and a Bitter Night (Wed., Dec. 3, 2025)

Denver woke up to a classic December reset: light-to-moderate snow during the morning, temperatures hovering near the freezing mark, and roads turning slick—especially on bridges, ramps, and shaded neighborhood streets. Forecasters expect most of the accumulating snow to taper by early afternoon, followed by a sharp evening chill that will lock in any leftover moisture as ice.

What to expect today in Denver

• Snow timing: Predominantly through late morning to early afternoon, then tapering to flurries.

• Totals: 1–3 inches across much of the city; 3–6 inches possible near the foothills and south toward the Palmer Divide where bands linger.

• Temperatures: Rising to around 30°F midday, then falling into the low 20s by late afternoon. Overnight low near 12°F in the urban core, colder in outlying spots.

• Wind: Light north–northeast breeze, just enough to reduce visibility in bursts when snow is steady.

Travel impacts will be uneven. Primary routes improve quickly after plows pass, but residential side streets and untreated sidewalks lag behind. Expect slower bus runs, longer ride-share ETAs, and a few minor fender-benders typical of the season’s first meaningful slick day.

Commute and travel impacts

• Morning drive: Slush and compacted snow where traffic is lighter; allow extra braking distance and avoid abrupt lane changes on elevated spans.

• Midday: Improving visibility and road conditions as snowfall eases, though packed snow persists on lower-priority streets.

• Evening: Refreeze is the big risk. Temperatures drop fast after sunset, re-icing melted spots. Black ice is most likely on bridges, gutters, and north-facing sidewalks.

• Air travel: Expect routine deicing operations. Check flight status and arrive earlier than usual; security and gate queues can stretch during weather ops.

Why this storm matters despite modest totals

Even a few inches can snarl the first full commute cycle of the season. Today’s setup features high-ratio snow, meaning it’s fluffier and more prone to drift into shallow ruts and windrows that grab tires. With temperatures sliding back below freezing this afternoon and tonight, leftover moisture will glaze. That’s a recipe for slippery next steps—driveways, stoops, and curb cuts—long after the last flakes.

The next 5 days at a glance

(Forecast trends may shift with new data; totals and temperatures vary by neighborhood and elevation.)

Microclimates to watch

• Foothill fringes (Golden, Lakewood west, Morrison): Highest chance to top 3 inches if a persistent band sits along the terrain.

• Palmer Divide (Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Parker): Upslope flow can wring out extra accumulation; roads here stay slick longer.

• North metro (Thornton, Northglenn): Generally lighter totals, closer to the 1–2 inch range.

Safety checklist for the rest of today

• Drive “slow, smooth, steady.” Gentle throttle, early braking, and bigger following gaps reduce spinouts.

• Clear it all. Brush snow from the roof, hood, and lights—flying powder blinds the driver behind you.

• Salt and scrape at dusk. Treat walkways before the evening temperature drop to head off black ice.

• Layer smart. Wind isn’t fierce, but the dry cold after sunset bites; gloves and traction-friendly shoes pay off.

Looking a step ahead

After today’s clipper, Denver trends drier and seasonably cool into the weekend with highs in the low-to-mid 40s. A broader, colder pattern remains parked to the north; if it sags south, another light snow chance could materialize late weekend or early next week. For now, the headline is simple: quick burst today, melt-and-refreeze tonight, calmer through Friday.

Stay weather-aware, take it slow on the trip home, and treat those front steps before the evening chill settles in.