Wind is expected to batter the Continental Divide and foothills again Wednesday, while heavy snow rolls into northwest Colorado.
But Denver-area residents should enjoy unseasonably warm temperatures and mild breezes, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters expect a high of 62 degrees, with winds of 9 to 14 mph and gusts of 20 mph today at Denver International Airport.
There is a 20 percent chance of light snow after 11 p.m.
The mountains along the Continental Divide north of Fairplay into Wyoming, as well as the foothills, are under a high-wind warning until 5 a.m. Thursday.
Winds in those areas are expected to remain stout and gusty until late tonight, then diminish by morning, forecasters said.
While areas close to the Continental Divide could get hammered by gusts of 80 mph to 100 mph, “the strongest winds will be confined to the eastern slopes of the Front Range mountains and foothills,” according to the wind warning.
Those areas could see gusts of 120 mph later today.
Tuesday was breezy along the northern Front Range, where most wind gusts peaked at about 60 mph. But some hit 70 mph Tuesday night south of Boulder, leading to the closure of Colorado 93 and Colorado 128. DIA reported gusts up to 48 mph.
Gusts and blowing snow also complicated travel in northern Colorado. U.S. 287 from Ted’s Place to the Wyoming border reopened Tuesday afternoon after being closed since Monday morning.
Loveland Pass was closed Tuesday morning because of bad weather and avalanche risks, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Besides traffic problems, “strong winds also may down some trees and produce scattered power outages,” the Weather Service warned.
Northwest Colorado, which received more than 2 feet of snow over the weekend, is expecting another big dose.
The Steamboat area, which got 27 inches Saturday and Sunday, could pick up 12 to 18 inches by this afternoon, with wind gusts up to 35 mph and 50 mph over higher ridge tops, according to the forecast.
Snow will diminish quickly south of Interstate 70, however. Aspen has a 70 percent chance of snow today, mainly after 5 p.m., with 1 to 3 inches expected.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
