A large winter storm and strong cold front will move through the area later today and tonight. Ahead of the front, southwest flow will pick up keeping warm, above normal temperatures in the forecast for this afternoon. Widespread precipitation will occur with snow above 8,000 feet for the mountains and rainfall below thanks to these warm temperatures. These mild temperatures are playing games with the rain/snow line and are making for a very tricky and complicated forecast for elevations near and below 8000 feet. Some gusty winds and maybe even a few rumbles of thunder will also be possible this afternoon ahead of the front. Most of the precipitation is expected to end around midday Saturday. Snowfall amounts for the mountains will fall in the 1 to 2 foot range with some higher amounts possible. Valleys may see some snowfall as well after the front passes through with a few inches possible on Saturday.
Today
Snow. High near 30. Very windy, with a west southwest wind 30 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow. Low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -10. Windy, with a west northwest wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Saturday
Snow likely, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 10. Wind chill values as low as -20. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around -1. Wind chill values as low as -10. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 11. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.