An incoming storm could dump up to two feet of snow on the high country this week, creating difficult travel and elevated avalanche danger, while large swaths of the state will see no relief and continue facing critical fire weather.
Snow will start to fall in the mountains late Monday night and continue through the end of the week, forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Office in Boulder said. Expect light snowfall throughout each day with two periods of heavier snow Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the Park Range in northwestern Colorado, including areas near Steamboat Springs, starting 11 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters say 10 to 24 inches of snow could accumulate and wind gusts could reach 70 mph.
The Front Range and mountains along Interstate 70 could see similar windy conditions and snow between 3 and 10 inches, forecasters predicted.
In Telluride and southwestern Colorado, blowing snow could bring “near zero visibility” Tuesday morning and night, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said.
“Travel could be extremely difficult with blowing snow that may result in near zero visibility at times,” the office warned ahead of the storm that could bring up to 18 inches to the northwestern San Juan mountains and Lizard Head Pass.
For those who have to drive, officials recommended packing a flashlight, food, water and warm clothes in the car in case of emergency.
The storm could also bring the season’s most dangerous avalanche conditions, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said. Avalanche danger will rise quickly, reaching “high” (level 4 out of 5, which is “extreme”) by Wednesday in some areas, and continue through the weekend.
The Park Range will see the most rapid increase in avalanche danger, but all ranges will see significant wind and snow, the center said, urging people to check the avalanche forecast often before considering a trip into the backcountry.
If the forecast holds, the snow will push the state’s snowpack “past its breaking point,” the CAIC said.
“This storm will require a major mindset shift for backcountry travelers after a long stretch of ‘open season’ conditions,” the center said. “This is the kind of storm that makes us forecasters nervous because it’s the biggest storm system of our entire season, and it’s falling on a horrifyingly bad snowpack.”
Critical fire weather remains for the plains
The forecast doesn’t include any precipitation for eastern Colorado, which will continue to face unseasonably warm temperatures and gusty winds.
Elevated fire risk is expected Monday for the southern Front Range foothills, Palmer Divide and adjacent Eastern Plains, forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Office in Pueblo said in a red flag warning. Relative humidity values will be as low as 10% and wind gusts up to 35 mph, making it easy for fires to spark in dry fuels and spread quickly.
A red flag warning is also in effect for the Denver metro area Tuesday ahead of possible snow showers.
Aurora Fire Rescue said Monday three wildland fire engines were being staffed by firefighters who would normally not be on duty to be ready for any fire that may spark. Additional resources will be added Tuesday when fire risk is higher.
“Having more available firefighting resources to respond if a fire occurs is important, but preventing fires from starting is vital,” the department said in a post on X.
Tuesday will bring damaging wind gusts and critical fire weather, including gusts up to 65 mph in the San Luis Valley and Eastern Plains and up to 80 mph in higher terrains, forecasters said.
The strongest winds are forecast to be during the late morning, though mid-afternoon. Strong sustained winds around 40 mph will continue through Tuesday afternoon.
“High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages,” the office said, warning of difficult travel conditions. “Plumes of blowing dust will create pockets of low visibility.”
Fire restrictions remain in many counties across the state, including in El Paso County, where officials Monday enacted Stage II fire restrictions to prohibit all open fires and open burning, including campfires, charcoal grill fires, fireworks, outdoor smoking and explosives.