6:20 AM MST, Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy thanksgiving. Travel conditions will be good today. If you are returning to the Front Range region from the west on Friday/Saturday, prepare for some winter travel conditions.

Front Range East Slope and Eastern Plains

A Pacific cold front will move through the region tonight. Little or no precipitation is expected in the lower foothills or plains. 1-4″ is likely closer to the continental divide (west of Peak to Peak Highway). The main impact for lower elevations will be cooler temperatures Friday and some areas of strong west-northwest winds late tonight and Friday. Some areas near the foothills may see gusts around 60 mph.

A stronger Pacific cold front on Saturday will cool it off some more and result in more strong wind from the northwest. That one may bring some localized areas of snow for the foothills and plains, but little accumulation is expected in eastern Colorado. However, as you get closer to the continental divide enough snow should make it over from the west side for 3-7 inches along with blowing snow and cold wind chills in places like Rocky Mountain Park and Brainard Lake.

Mountains and West Slope

A Pacific cold front should bring 3-6 inches of snow tonight and Friday morning in the higher elevations and west-facing slopes. After a relative lull, a more powerful surge of Pacific moisture should bring areas of heavy snow and blowing snow late Friday night and Saturday. Some snow accumulation is likely throughout the West Slope, with 12-18″ near the ridge lines and west-facing slopes. Difficult travel conditions are likely at the high passes and other areas that are prone to high wind. The worst conditions are likely along and north of I-70. Wind and snow should let up by Sunday.