A major winter storm is bearing down on much of Colorado, with between 3 and 6 inches expected to blanket the metro area Tuesday.
The snow should begin falling by midnight and last through Tuesday morning.
Four to 8 inches of snow is expected in the foothills, according to the National Weather Service.
In the northeastern part of the state, snow could continue through Tuesday afternoon, with 1- to 3-inch accumulations.
A winter-storm warning has been issued for the mountains until 5 p.m. Tuesday, with between 1 and 2 feet of new snow in the San Juan Mountains.
Southwest-facing slopes could get up to 3 feet of snow.
Six to 12 inches are expected in the central and southern mountains.
Tuesday will be colder in Denver, with a high near 26 degrees. The overnight low should be around 17, the weather service reports.
Snow from the approaching system is more likely along the foothills, the Palmer Divide and in South Park, according to the weather service, and less likely east of Interstate 25.
It is apt to snow off and on in the central mountains through Thursday — except Wednesday night, when it should be partly cloudy.
The Denver area should start drying out Wednesday and a drying pattern in the mountains is expected to kick in Friday.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
