Despite temperatures surpassing 60 degrees Wednesday, Mother Nature will briefly transition back into winter mode with slight rain and snow fall beginning Thursday. 

A rain and snow mix will begin to fall across the Denver metro area Thursday afternoon and will continue until around midnight. 

According to Evan Direnzo, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boulder, 4 inches of snow could fall on Thursday but the total amount will be around 1 inch or less.

“If everything was to play out very well and favorable for snow, we could end up with 4 inches, but I highly doubt that, and expect an inch or less,” Direnzo said. 

Rain is expected about noon then will transition to snow for the evening commute, and Direnzo is encouraging motorists to use winter driving techniques. 

“Once people get a little confidence driving in the snow, they tend to forget rain can be just as dangerous,” Direnzo said. “Apply the same winter driving considerations to this rain/snow mix as (you) would a winter storm. So slow down and give yourself a little more time (Thursday).”

A winter weather advisory will be in effect in areas south of the metro area near the Palmer Divide beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday until Friday morning as conditions could produce 3 to 5 inches of snow. 

Although Thursday is supposed to produce wet and sloppy conditions, Mother Nature will revert into warmer conditions on Friday with highs in upper 50s and 60s throughout the weekend.