Colorado Weather: 14 Inches Of Snow, Blustery Winds Possible

DENVER, CO — Another winter storm is bearing down on Colorado that will bring up to 14 inches of snow to the southern part of the state, and up to 6 inches of snow in the Boulder and Denver suburbs.

Most of Colorado was under a hazardous weather outlook Monday, with parts of southern Boulder and the Denver suburbs expecting to see up to 6 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said.

Meanwhile, parts of Douglas County was under a winter weather advisory Monday.

Denver Metro Braces For Blowing Snow, Blustery Winds

Much of the state was under a hazardous weather outlook Monday as the weather service warned snow and blowing snow will create dangerous travel conditions from the southern Foothills across the Palmer Divide into the east-central Plains on Monday. The storm system could bring blustery winds of up to 50 mph will lead to poor visibility due to blowing snow.

The snow and wind should begin to diminish by Monday afternoon into the early evening hours, the weather service said. However, light showers will continue Tuesday, with the greatest coverage and intensity in the high country. Accumulations will be light.

A few areas in the mountains could get 1 to 3 inches, but most areas will get less than an inch. Once again, blowing snow could cause poor visibility in the mountains during Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Moreover, the weather service said to expect breezy winds across the plains Tuesday and Wednesday, with gusts of up to 45 mph in many areas and strongest further east.

Additionally, in southern Colorado, the early spring storm was expected to bring rain that will change to snow across the plains Monday morning and continue into Monday afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall over the eastern mountains, with more than a foot likely on the east slopes. Over the Raton Mesa region of the plains, 4 to 8 inches of wind-driven snow was expected.

"Travel on Interstate 25 from south of Pueblo to the New Mexico
border may be very difficult to impossible today," the weather service said.

The Pikes Peak region was expected to recieve 3 to 6 inches of snow, while 2 to 6 inches were possible across the highest elevations of El Paso county and Teller county.

Little snow was expected to impact Colorado Springs and Pueblo, though the rest of the plans were expected to see up to 3 inches of snow, poor driving visibility and blowing snow.

Snow showers will continue along the greater I-25 corridor region Tuesday, with some light accumulations possible, the weather service said.

Dangerous Blowing Snow In Douglas County

Part of eastern Douglas County was among the areas under a winter weather advisory Monday, with between 3 and 6 inches of snow expected along with strong winds of up to 50 mph. The advisory was in effect until 6 p.m. Monday and affects: Castle Rock, Punkin Center, Elbert, Karval, Hugo, Matheson, Forder, Kiowa, Larkspur, Agate, Limon, Fondis and Kutch.

"Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes," the weather service said.

Over A Foot Of Snow To Dump On Southern Rocky Mountains

A winter storm warning was issued Monday morning for mountainous areas in southern Colorado, including the Wet Mountains and Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Heavy snow was expected in the Wet Mountains with total snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches possible, as well as wind gusts of up to 50 mph. The winter storm warning was in effect until midnight Monday.

" Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage," the weather service said.

Between 5 and 10 inches of snow and strong winds were possible in the Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and 3-6 inches of snow was possible in the Wet Mountain Valley.