Tracking two rounds of sleet and snow Wednesday and Thursday

TONIGHT: Skies gradually clear with lows in the low teens. Gusty winds keep wind chills in the upper single digits.

TOMORROW: Becoming cloudy with a chance of sleet and snow moving in by late afternoon or early evening. Highs in the upper 20s.

EXTENDED: We're in for a cold night as skies clear and low temperatures drop into the low teens to start Wednesday. I am not anticipating any travel problems tomorrow morning, but our first of two waves of precipitation moves in by late afternoon from the southwest, spreading as far north as I-70 through Wednesday night as predominantly sleet and light snow. We may see a brief lull in measurable precipitation between midnight and daybreak Thursday, but can't rule out some freezing drizzle in between waves. The next round of sleet and snow arrives quickly on Thursday, exiting east of the viewing area by early evening. Areas south of Highway 50 could see more sleet accumulation at the onset of both waves, with snow as the uniform precipitation type farther north. 1-3" still seems likely for areas along the I-70 corridor, but the band of snow accumulation through Thursday night has shifted a bit farther north than in previous forecasts, with 2-3" possible between Highway 24 and around the I-70 area, and 1-2" for areas near Highway 50 thanks to sleet cutting into totals. After precipitation ends Thursday night, temperatures are expected to drop into the upper teens on Friday morning, so slick spots will still be possible for the morning commute. Friday is chilly with highs near the freezing mark, but the weekend is looking quiet and warmer with highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Next week starts off tame with seasonable temperatures in the mid-upper 40s.