From the National Weather Service Grand Junction Office:
SNOW WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY SATURDAY AS THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT PASSES. SNOW LEVELS INITIALLY BETWEEN 6000 AND 7000 FEET WILL DROP TO VALLEY BOTTOMS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. BEHIND THE COLD FRONT THE UPPER FLOW WILL TURN TO NORTHWEST WITH SNOWFALL FAVORING THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS INTO MONDAY.
THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON THE TIMING OF THE STORM SYSTEM AND MOISTURE IS LIMITED. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS THE REGION ESPECIALLY OVER THE MOUNTAINS. EXPECT MUCH COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.
From the National Weather Service Pueblo Office:
At the present time, the low is forecast to move from southern Nevada Saturday morning, through the Four Corners region, and into eastern Colorado Saturday night. With this track, areas north of Highway 50 will likely feel the brunt of the system, with mainly windy conditions for the eastern plains south of Highway 50. With windy conditions expected across the region with this low, whiteout conditions could occur at some locations, including northern El Paso County Saturday night. Some uncertainties remain with the track of this low, which could either increase or decrease the chances for precipitation expected over southeast Colorado. Persons planning travel across the region this weekend should remain weather alert and listen for the latest statements or warnings on this developing winter weather situation.
From The Denver Post (Joey Bunch):
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Friday evening to Sunday evening for the West Elk and Sawatch mountains, the western San Juans, the Grand and Battlement mesas, as well as the Flat Top range…
The Colorado snowpack has improved slowly since the new year began, but remains at 74 percent statewide, including 69 percent in the Colorado River basin, home to some of the state’s best-known ski resorts and most important reservoirs. Southwest Colorado has a snowpack of 86 percent, and the South Platte River basin, which includes Denver, is at 59 percent, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Lakewood.
A significant weather change can be expected today across Northern Colorado. #COwx twitter.com/NWSBoulder/sta…
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 9, 2013