The National Weather Service is warning of “very strong winds” tonight in the northern and central mountains, as well as the foothills of Larimer, Boulder and northern Jefferson counties.
Gusts could exceed 100 mph overnight, forecasters said. The precise timing of those winds’ arrival, however, was still uncertain at 7:45 p.m., when wind speeds in the single digits were still being reported across northern Colorado, according to , a site that advises pilots, balloonists, skydivers and hang gliders.
Because of Monday night’s mountain snow, “these powerful winds are likely to produce dangerous white-out conditions, especially on the higher mountain passes,” the National Service warned.
Forecasters said lightweight objects could become “dangerous airborne projectiles,” and high-profile vehicles and trailers could flip over in the wind.
West winds are expected to gust between 30 to 50 mph in the foothills immediately west of Denver, Boulder, Loveland and Fort Collins, according to the National Weather Service.
The city could see gusts up to 38 mph through Wednesday night, accompanied by sunny skies and temperatures as high as 50 degrees.
Gusts will calm to about 22 mph Thursday morning, with temperatures expected to warm to 60 degrees in Denver on Thursday. Friday’s forecast high at Denver International Airport is 54, followed by 59 on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
The high in Denver today was just 29 degrees — 15 degrees colder than average — at 3:14 p.m. The low was 2 degrees at 6:01 a.m.
Snow chances last in Colorado’s northern and central mountains through next Monday with highs in the 30s each day.
Despite Monday’s snow, the state’s snowpack remains at just 66 percent of its 30-year average.
