It may be the first day of spring on the calendar, with a spring-like day in store for Denver, but the mountains should get hammered by winter weather today.
A Pacific front will bring periods of heavy snow and high winds to the high country today, according to the National Weather Service. Snow and blowing snow advisories have been posted for the northern and central mountains.
The advisories are in effect until midnight, and travelers in the mountains should be prepared for winter conditions and periods of low visibility, the Weather Service warns.
Strong southwest winds will precede the front this morning before winds shift and come out of the northwest as the system blasts through the high country, the Weather Service said.
Thunder and rain could also be part of the wintry mix, according to the Weather Service.
Today’s Vail forecast calls for up to 3 inches of snow accumulation with a high temperature of about 45 degrees.
Meanwhile, in Denver today, it should be partly sunny and breezy with a high temperature near 64 degrees. Winds could gust up to 20 mph today in the city.
The sun moved across the celestial equator at 11:58 p.m. Wednesday, bringing spring to the northern hemisphere.
The vernal equinox overnight means today is the first full day of spring. The sunrise and sunset will be exactly due east and due west.
Tomorrow in Denver it should be mostly sunny and calm with a high temperature near 56, the Weather Service said.
On Saturday mostly cloudy skies over Denver will bring a chance of rain mixed with snow, mainly in the the afternoon, as the high temperature reaches about 45 degrees.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
