Winter Storm Watch in effect for the Central Mountains of Colorado | Image: NWS Boulder | Cover Image: NOAA

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for mountains of central Colorado with the biggest accumulations coming at the high elevations near the continental divide.

Related: Find Top-Notch Spring Turns At These 7 Ski Areas

This storm will come in fast with heavy snowfall starting in the late evening hours today and ending in the early morning hours on Friday. Models are suggesting that an upslope event could be possible leaving resorts like Winter Park, Eldora, and Loveland with the highest snowfall totals.

“For tonight, moderate to heavy snow will be possible in the mountains, foothills, along and south of the Interstate 70 corridor and over the Palmer Divide above 5500 ft, with widespread rain or a mix of rain and snow over the plains.”NWS Boulder

Also, the resorts located in the 4 corners should see a much-needed refresh out of this storm after NOAA recently issued a Winter Weather Advisory starting today and lasting until Friday morning. NOAA models are currently forecasting approximately 12″ for the higher elevations of Telluride and Silverton by Friday morning.

Winter Storm Watch [Central Colorado]

…Blizzard conditions possible late tonight through Friday morning across the Palmer Divide towards the Limon area…

A spring storm will bring much-needed precipitation to northeast and north central Colorado. Precipitation is expected to develop across the forecast area tonight and then intensify late tonight through Friday morning as the storm system strengthens over southeast Colorado. Moderate to heavy snowfall will be possible over the mountains, foothills and Palmer Ridge late tonight into Friday morning, heaviest along and south of the I-70 corridor. Very strong northerly winds will develop late tonight and continue through midday Friday across the plains with blizzard conditions possible from the Palmer Divide towards Limon with zero visiblities at times.

…WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING…

* TIMING…Snow will increase in intensity over the mountains and southern foothills after midnight and continue through Friday morning. The heaviest snowfall is likely from late tonight through Friday morning.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…7 to 14 inches over the high mountains and southern foothills. Snowfall rates up to two inches per hour will be possible in the mountains and southern foothills early Friday morning.

* WIND/VISIBILITY…Northerly winds from 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph are expected over the southern Foothills late tonight through Friday morning. Speeds will be much lighter in the mountains with gusts up to 20 mph at times. Visibilities could be under one quarter of a mile in the windiest areas.

* IMPACTS…Heavy snow, strong winds and poor visibilities will create hazardous winter driving conditions. Roads will be icy and snow packed.

Winter Weather Advisory [San Juan]

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT FRIDAY…

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE…Telluride, Ouray, Lake City, Silverton, Rico, and Hesperus.

* TIMING…Snow is expected to begin this morning and will continue through Friday morning. The highest snowfall rates are expected this afternoon through this evening.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION…5 to 10 inches, with locally greater
accumulations up to 12 inches above 10,000 feet.

* SNOW LEVEL…Initially around 9000 feet, dropping down to 8000 feet this afternoon, before lowering further to 7000 feet early Friday morning.

* WINDS…Southwest 20 to 30 mph, shifting to the north-northwest late this evening into Friday morning, with gusts up to 45 mph.

* IMPACTS…Roads will become slick and snowpacked. Additionally, visibilities will be reduced in snow and blowing snow.

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