A blizzard from the southwest is taking aim at the High Country tonight, and authorities say travel will be less about speed and more about survival overnight and Friday.
Besides dumping 2 to 3 feet of new snow on top of what was left by previous storms, the storm will feature wind gusts over mountain passes that could reach 80 mph with white-out conditions tonight, leaving roads impassable, according to the National Weather Service.
“Consider delaying travel unless necessary,” the weather service advised. “If travel into the mountains is necessary, carry a winter storm survival kit that includes blankets, high-calorie non-perishable food a shovel.”
Chain laws are in effect for nearly all state and federal highways over mountain passes through noon Friday.
High avalanche risk warnings are in effect until noon Friday, and may be extended, for the backcountry around Leadville, Salida, Lake City, Creede, Salida, Telluride, Ouray, Grand Mesa and the southern San Juan range, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The storm will blanket Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.
The storm could deliver 14 inches of snow across Western Colorado overnight, and another 8 inches on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
South-facing slopes above 9,000 feet could rack up four feet of new snow from the storm, with drifts up to eight feet deep, forecasters warn.
Blizzard warnings will be in effect until noon Friday in Telluride and Ouray, forecasters said.
High wind is a concern in southern Colorado this weekend, with gusts up to 40 mph Friday night that will drive wind chill factors as low as minus-5 Friday night.
Through 11 a.m. Friday, the Interstate 25 corridor between Colorado Springs and Walsenburg could see hurricane-strength wind gusts, capable of toppling tall vehicles and inflicting damage to buldings, according to the National Weather Service.
“These winds can cause lightweight objects to become dangerous airborne projectiles,” the weather service warned.
The high in Pueblo Saturday could reach just 24 degrees, before rebounding into the 40s on Sunday.
Denver could get a dusting of snow, a 30 percent chance of a half-inch or less, according to the forecast.
The high on Friday will be near 38, and the weekend outlook calls for sunny skies and highs near 40 on Saturday and in the 50s on Sunday.
Forecasters this evening said Monday could see a high of 57 degrees.
