Rocky Mountain National Park, Cameron Pass to see big snow; Fort Collins frigid temps
If heading to Northern Colorado's mountains this weekend, you might want to have a Plan B.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that began at 5 p.m. Thursday and is effective through 5 p.m. Saturday. Ten to 15 inches of snow are forecast for the higher elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park and Cameron Pass, with 18 to 24 inches and 45- to 60-mph gusts forecast for the Steamboat and Park Range areas.
Travel is expected to be difficult on U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado Highway 14.
Weekend ski traffic is expected to be impacted with 2 to 6 inches of snow combined with strong wind, especially Friday, making Interstate 70 corridor travel hazardous.
Three avalanches have killed four people this winter in Colorado, including three who lived in the Loveland-Greeley area.
Those looking to recreate in the northern mountains this weekend should visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center at avalanche.state.co.us for avalanche and weather conditions.
⚠️Winter Storm Warning Northern Mountains⚠️
Prolonged period of snow & blowing snow northern mountains tonight - Sat. Heaviest totals (8-22") in the northern tier: Rabbit Ears Pass, Cameron Pass, RMNP. Lighter snows (2-6") I-70 Mountain Corridor - mainly late Friday - Sat. #COwx pic.twitter.com/3x8BMBp3RA— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) January 26, 2023
Fort Collins forecast heading for the deep freeze
The northern foothills and northeast quarter of the state, including Fort Collins, are forecast to see an inch of snow over the weekend and will see lows dipping into the negative numbers early next week.
Here is the Fort Collins forecast through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service:
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon, gusting to 16 mph. Low near 17.
Saturday: 30% chance of snow after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31 with 5 to 11 mph, gusting to 16 mph. At night, a 40% chance of snow with a low near 4.
Sunday: 30% chance of snow, mainly after 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 15 and low near minus 6.
Monday: Chance of snow with a high near 5 and low near minus 6.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 18 and low near 1.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Weekend weather: RMNP, Cameron Pass to see big snow; Fort Collins frigid temps
