According to the National Weather Service (NWS), temperatures in the eastern plains will be relatively mild Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the mid-40s to lows in the mid-50s Monday and 60s tomorrow.
High winds can reach peak gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour by evening along the front and foothills, and along the mountains.
No fresh snow is expected on Monday.
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In addition to rising temperatures, winds will be a major concern across the state on Tuesday. High-resolution models show “very strong winds that could reach 90 miles per hour” in the hills, according to the NWS. and Boulder could see gusts of up to 50 mph.
The combination of gusty winds and warm weather will increase fire concerns, the NWS said.
Fire weather warnings are in effect for Pueblo, Huelfano, and Las Animas counties Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. El Paso County was left out of the clock because of persistent humidity above 15%, but residents should expect gusty winds in the afternoon, NWS said.
Grand Junction’s NWS said a “series of systems” would begin affecting western Colorado on Tuesday through the end of the year. This prolonged winter storm will bring moderate to heavy snowfall to higher elevations and some valleys, NWS reports.
The storm will pick up winds from the southwest on Monday night, with gusty winds on Tuesday. Precipitation will increase Tuesday evening, with snow in the mountains and rain in the valleys in the western half of the state.
A winter storm warning has been issued for the eastern San Juan Mountains with a potential of one to two feet of snow starting Tuesday evening. The Lagarita and Central Ranges will see four to eight inches of fresh snow Tuesday evening through Thursday, according to the NWS.
This snow makes the roads slippery in mountainous areas, making driving conditions worse.
Temperatures will cool and rain in the valley will turn to snow by Wednesday evening. Still, the system isn’t that cold, he reports NWS.
As for the mountains, the NWS said there is growing confidence that there will be a significant amount of snow.
“Early signs indicate that as much as two feet is not out of the question,” reports the NWS.
Light snowfall is possible on the eastern plains Wednesday night through Thursday morning.
Precipitation will decrease through Thursday as the system continues to move across the plains.
A different system is possible in the mountains over the weekend, but the eastern plains remain dry.
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