Wind, snow forecast to pack one-two punch for Northern Colorado Tuesday through Thursday
Monday's unseasonably warm temperature and strong wind will be followed by a winter storm that will bring snow and frigid temperatures to Northern Colorado on Tuesday night into Thursday morning.
Here is the storm breakdown, according to the National Weather Service:
Strong wind with gusts up to 75 mph for northern Front Range precedes storm
There is a high wind warning for the northern Front Range until noon Tuesday
Strongest wind at 6,000 feet and higher
Red Feather Lakes: 70-75 mph gusts
Fort Collins: 35-40 mph
Estes Park: 60-65 mph
Greeley: 20-25 mph
Denver/DIA: 30-35 mph
Boulder: 45-50 mph
⚠High Wind Warning⚠ Periods of very strong winds will continue to impact the Front Range today through Tuesday morning. Gusts 60-80 mph in wind prone areas. Isolated power outages and broken tree limbs possible. 30-50 mph gusts portions of I-25 Corridor. #COwx pic.twitter.com/ZJF9t1nH31
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 20, 2023
Winter storm watch in effect for Fort Collins and Northern Colorado
A watch means conditions are favorable for an impactful winter storm event.
Watch runs midnight Tuesday to midnight Wednesday for the northern Front Range, including Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park and until 5 a.m. Thursday for the northern mountains, including Rocky Mountain National Park.
A winter warning is in place for Cheyenne, Wyoming, and points north.
A Winter Storm Watch covers parts of the northern foothills, mountains, and plains. These areas could experience hazardous travel Wednesday AM and PM commute due to snow covered roads and blowing snow conditions. #COwx pic.twitter.com/hlFZrug19S
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 20, 2023
Timing and travel impacts due to snow and strong wind
The Wednesday morning and evening commutes along the northern Interstate 25 corridor could see hazardous travel conditions due to snow-covered roads and blowing snow conditions.
It is advised to pack emergency travel items if traveling during these times.
For road conditions, visit cotrip.org or call 511
Colorado snowfall forecast for latest system tricky due to warmth ahead of storm
Initial amounts in the watch area could be 2 to 6 inches.
Fort Collins will see highs of 55 degrees Monday with wind gusts to near 40 mph.
Tuesday's high will be 56 degrees with much less wind, 8 mph.
There is a 60% chance of rain before 10 p.m. Tuesday, with precipitation then turning to snow.
Wednesday, there is a 100% chance of snow with a high of only 20 degrees and low of minus-7.
The warmth of the ground will melt some snow; the timing of when the rain turns to snow will also factor in snowfall accumulation.
Make sure to check coloradoan.com for updated conditions as the storm nears.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Weather alert: Wind, snow forecast to pack punch for Northern Colorado
