Light snow started to fall at about 2 am on Thursday morning. Expect 2-4 inches through the day and into Thursday evening, and my estimate is that we'll see the best chance of accumulating snow later on Thursday and Thursday evening when the wind direction at Copper begins to blow from the west and northwest. This is a favorable wind direction and should give us a better chance snow. Overall, it's nice to see fresh snow, and while there will likely be some powder on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, keep your expectations in check for this storm as its track is not ideal for big-time snow at Copper.

Friday should be dry, then the next storm will bring snow from late Friday night through Saturday night. I am much more excited about this storm as the wind direction will be from the west or west-northwest and the jet stream will be overhead, and both of these factors should combine to create a good chance for significant snow. My early estimate is for 4-8+ inches with the best powder on Saturday afternoon and/or Sunday morning.

Most of Sunday should be dry, then there is a good chance that we'll see light snow return on Sunday night through Christmas day with perhaps 1-3 inches of accumulation. That would be a nice gift for Christmas morning, eh?

After that system, Copper and the rest of northern Colorado will continue to see chances for snow through next week, but I cannot pin down the details at this time. Stay tuned for daily updates each morning!

JOEL GRATZ, Meteorologist at OpenSnow.com