Big Colorado winter storm to impact Christmas travel in the mountains

Colorado’s mountains will enjoy a white Christmas, but the question is will you be able to get there to enjoy the fresh snow?

A strong Pacific storm system moving into the state Thursday is forecast to deliver a foot to 2 feet of snow and strong wind to Colorado’s mountains that will impact Christmas travel.

It’s literally been a whirlwind week for weather as high wind has gushed up and over the mountains and blasted the Front Range with strong wind that also has produced well-above normal temperatures.

Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, winter weather advisory, high wind watch and red flag warning all in the same day engulfing much of Colorado.

While the Front Range will remain windy and warm Thursday through Saturday, heavy snow starts arriving in western Colorado on Thursday with many ski areas expected to receive double-digit snow totals over the next three days.

Fort Collins will see highs in the 50s to 60 degrees over the next three days with a 50% to 60% chance of rain Thursday and Friday, something it could use because the city has received only 2.77 inches of precipitation since June 1 and only 0.7 inches of snow this season. 

While the Denver metro is likely to stay snow free, we’re willing to bet @RockyNPS will have a white Christmas this year! 6-12″ of snow expected on the east side of the park, with totals up to 3 feet possible near Longs Peak ❄ #cowx https://t.co/ngCSKMBtxj pic.twitter.com/L2B6elBpJk

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)

When will the storm hit?

The weather service has issued a winter storm warning from 2 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Saturday (Christmas Day) that stretches through the northern, central and southern mountains.

A series of systems will bring heavy snow and strong wind to the Western Slope and the mountains beginning late Thursday into early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Travel is expected to be difficult on Interstate 70 west of Denver in the mountains as well as U.S. highways 40, 50, 550 and 160, especially Friday, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

If travelling to the mountains, be prepared for rapidly changing conditions late Thursday into Saturday, the weather service cautioned.

Friday is expected to the most active day. A mild southwest flow ahead of the system will result in rain in lower valleys and snow at higher elevations, with snow descending into lower elevations as colder air moves in.   

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency and check out the latest Colorado road conditions by calling 511 or by visiting www.cotrip.org

Expected impact severity for the upcoming mountain snow event. Most severe conditions for portions of the northern mountains late tonight through Friday, including Highway 40 near Rabbit Ears Pass.

Stay weather aware at https://t.co/VLFHoMTHn6 #COwx pic.twitter.com/atehtT4fM9

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)

Snow forecast totals impressive for some mountain areas

The warning includes northern mountain areas of western Larimer County, Rocky Mountain National Park, Cameron Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, Mount Zirkel area and the Laramie and Medicine Bow mountains of Northern Colorado.

It also includes much of the central and southern mountains.

Heavy snow at times is forecast to result in 1 to 2 feet of snow in places accompanied by wind gusts of up to 50 mph. Travel is expected to be very difficult to impossible in the warning area, according to the weather service.

North of Rabbit Ears Pass could see 30 inches of snow.

Areas west of Aspen and Wolf Creek Pass in southern Colorado could see 20 to 30 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said the heavy snow and wind will greatly increase avalanche risk in the backcountry Friday through the weekend.

“New snow and the holiday weekend will provide a much needed outlet for all sorts of powder hounds, but we also expect high (Level 4 of 5)  avalanche danger on Friday,” said Ethan Greene, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Before heading out, he said people should heck the avalanche forecast at www.colorado.gov/avalanche 

Here is a look at forecast snow totals for the northern mountains, according to the weather service:

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.