Strong Winds, Big Temperature Drop Ahead

DENVER (CBS4) - Our preview to spring comes to a screeching halt Tuesday as a strong cold front moves into Colorado. By Wednesday morning, temperatures will be in the teens and 20s for most areas - roughly 50 degrees colder than it was today.

Click here for the full forecast from the Colorado Weather Center.

If you've lived in Colorado for any period of time, you know that large temperature swings are common, especially in late winter, as the seasons begin to change. Dry air and high elevation play a role. Because of this, we typically see a 20 to 30 degree temperature difference between the daily high and low.

Add in a strong cold front like the one that will move through Tuesday, and it's possible to have an even greater temperature swing over just a matter of hours.

For those who come from a more humid climate, these big changes take some getting used to. Humid climates don't typically see such large daily temperature differences because the air holds more moisture that helps retain heat.

Large temperature changes are just one of those unique characteristics that make Colorado's weather so interesting to forecast. If you aren't a big fan, don't worry, it usually doesn't take long for temperatures to quickly rebound.