Warmer weather has returned to the metro area, but high winds could plague the foothills for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.
A high-wind watch is in effect for the foothills until midday Monday, Mike Baker, NWS meteorologist, said Sunday.
“There is going to be some wind today, but the stronger winds will be late tonight and tomorrow,” Baker said. “It looks like a pretty windy week.”
A stream of moisture and strong wind is heading east from California and will produce strong winds. Colorado’s higher elevations could get snow.
But those same atmospheric conditions will bring temperatures in the high 40s to the metro area Sunday and could bring a high of 60 degrees Monday, Baker said.
A Chinook wind flowing down the foothills is responsible for the warmer air.
“Where the air goes up on one side of the mountains, they get snow, but it tends to dry and warm up when it comes down the mountains, losing a lot of moisture,” Baker said.
High winds, drifting and blowing snow led to poor driving conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park, closing US Highway 36 from Beaver Meadows Entrance, and US Highway 34 from the park’s Fall River entrance to Deer Ridge Junction.
Those roads reopened before 9 a.m..
Trail Ridge Road remains closed to Hidden Valley. Bear Lake Road is also still closed.
“Closures will be in place until park snowplow operators have an opportunity to clear roads and conditions improve,” according to an emailed statement from RMNP spokeswoman Kyle Patterson.
