By Jonathan Ingraham [email protected],

3 hours ago

Rain showers below 7,000 feet and heavy snow ascending upward are the main weather elements on Tuesday across Denver, the I-25 urban corridor and in the Front Range foothills and mountains.

Denver residents can finally expect some rain, with thunderstorms also possible after noon on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. A steady temperature around 47 will mix with east northeast winds between 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Rain and mountain snow will develop this morning, and then continue through tonight. The heaviest precipitation will occur in and near the Front Range mountains and foothills.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m., Wednesday for the eastern slopes of the Front Range, along the Continental Divide and into eastern Summit, Grand, Jackson, and Park counties and western Larimer, and Gilpin and Clear Creek counties.

Difficult travel can be expected by late this afternoon and evening in the higher mountains, including I-70 east of the Eisenhower Tunnel, US Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass, Kenosha Pass, and along the higher elevations of the Peak to Peak Highway. Storm totals of 10-20 inches are forecast for the Front Range mountains above 8,000-8,500 feet with the heaviest totals above 9,000 feet.

Much lighter snow amounts can be expected west of the Eisenhower Tunnel and in the foothills down to around 7,000 feet.

Tonight expect more rain with a low around 39. Northeast winds between 5 to 8 mph become west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Rain showers linger for Wednesday too, but not as constant as Tuesday as the low pressure associated with the storm begins to push eastward.

Lesser chances for rain showers close out the week before a warming trend begins Saturday as highs reach into the upper 70s and low 80s on Sunday.

Here's the 4-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: Showers. High near 60. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday: A 30% chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Friday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 76.