Hazardous Weather In Colorado: Near-Whiteout Conditions, 55 MPH Winds

DENVER, CO — Colorado braced Tuesday for a snow storm that will result in near-whiteout conditions and pack strong winds of up to 55 mph.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook Tuesday morning for much of Colorado, including Denver, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Greeley and Boulder.

A cold front will dump moderate to heavy snowfall in the mountains and mountain valleys Tuesday morning, the weather service said.

"Near-whiteout conditions and very difficult travel conditions are possible under the heaviest snow bands this morning," the weather service said.

Additionally, strong winds up to 55 mph were possible to the south of Interstate 70 across the plains Tuesday.

"This may create blowing dust and poor visibility leading to hazardous travel," the weather service said.

Additionally, low humidity and strong winds will create "critical fire weather conditions" across southern Lincoln County.

Snow showers will continue in the mountains Wednesday, with some areas seeing blowing snow at higher elevations. Fire danger will again be a concern in the plains Tuesday afternoon.

Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will continue across much of the plains into the weekend due to gusty winds and low humidity, the weather service said.

A slight chance of rain was possible in Denver on Tuesday before 4 p.m. followed by a slight chance of rain and snow between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of snow in the evening. Forecasters expect the city will see partly sunny conditions with a high near 54 degrees. The city will see gusts up to 31 mph Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, forecasters called for a 20 percent chance of snow showers and gusts up to 31 mph.

Below are the areas affected by the hazardous weather outlook.

• Jackson County Below 9,000 feet
• West Jackson and West Grand counties above 9,000 feet
• Grand and Summit counties below 9,000 feet
• South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/Northwest Boulder Counties above 9,000 feet
• South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park counties above 9,000 feet
• Larimer and Boulder counties between 6,000 and 9,000 feet
• Jefferson and West Douglas counties above 6,000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties below 9,000 feet
• Central and Southeast Park County
• Larimer County below 6,000 feet/Northwest Weld County
• Boulder and Jefferson counties below 6,000 feet/West Broomfield County
• North Douglas County below 6,000 feet
• Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe counties/East Broomfield County
• Elbert/Central and East Douglas counties above 6,000 feet
• Northeast Weld County
• Central and South Weld County
• Morgan County
• Central and East Adams and Arapahoe counties
• North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/North Lincoln County
• Southeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet/South Lincoln County
• Logan County
• Washington County
• Sedgwick County
• Phillips County