Winter Storm Warning Issued For Front Range: Latest Predictions

The National Weather Service has issued weather alerts for metro Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and many other Colorado cities. A winter storm warning will be in effect from 5 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday.

"Total snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches [are] possible," the weather alert, which was updated Friday morning, read. "Accumulations up to 30 inches [are] possible near Boulder and Fort Collins. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph."

Coloradans should prepare for power outages, and dangerous, impossible travel, weather officials said.

"Finish preparation for this storm by Friday," the alert read. "Conditions will likely deteriorate quickly Saturday as the storm arrives."

"A significant late season winter storm will move across the Desert Southwest Friday to near the Four Corners region by Saturday, and then track east/northeast across southeast Colorado Sunday. This track will bring significant snowfall to much of northeast and north central Colorado, and likely result in difficult if not impossible travel from Saturday afternoon through Sunday and Sunday night."

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Boulder, Denver's west metro area, Castle Rock and Greeley are among cities that will be hit the hardest, officials said.

"The most severe conditions from deep accumulating snow will likely occur in and near the Front Range Mountains and Foothills where 2 to 4 feet of snow may fall, and along the I-25 Urban Corridor where up to 2 feet of snow can be expected."

Wind could gust up to 22 mph in metro Denver Saturday and 29 mph Sunday. Wind in Boulder will be a little less intense but not by much, the agency said.

"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency," the warning read.

You can call 511 to check the latest road conditions, or you can check an interactive Colorado map and road cameras here.

"Travelers, including ski traffic, should plan to get to their destination Friday, and be prepared to stay through Monday," a weather alert on the COtrip web portal read.

"Snow is expected to be heavy and winds may create blizzard conditions. I-70 up to the Continental Divide and Foothills west of Denver/Boulder may see over 36 inches of snow."

>> Read the full National Weather Service warning.