Colorado is experiencing heavy snowfall in the mountains and high fire danger along I-25

Buckle up, Colorado, because the weather forecast calls for a crazy ride over the next three days, with extreme avalanche conditions in the mountains and increased fire danger along the I-25 corridor to the Eastern Plains due to strong winds.

Multiple snowfalls and strong, gusty winds will cause devastating damage to mountain travelers into Monday and increase the risk of fires at lower elevations.

Here’s a look at the timing and impact of the powerful storm system, according to the National Weather Service.

Winter storm warning for mountains, advisory for lower elevations

Winter Storm Warning: 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday. Centrally located in the Rabbit Ears area near Steamboat Springs. 8 to 18 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour are expected to make travel very difficult in places like U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado Highway 14.
Winter weather information: 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday. Affected areas include the higher elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park, western Larimer and Boulder counties, and Jackson, Park, Summit and Grand counties. With snow depths of 4 to 11 inches and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, travel will be dangerous, including on Colorado 14 and Interstate 70.

On Saturday, snow cover statewide was 90%.

Meters of snow and strong winds create dangerous avalanche conditions

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center:

Avalanche warning: See you Monday for the Park Range, Elkhead Mountains, Flat Tops, Gore Range and West Elk Mountains. Meters of snow and strong, gusty winds result in dangerous avalanches that can easily be triggered by backcountry users, running naturally and over long distances. Travel to backcountry avalanche areas is not recommended in the warning area.
Avalanche watch: Through Monday for portions of the Front Range, including Rocky Mountain National Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness. Heavy snow and strong winds will result in dangerous avalanche conditions, with large avalanches easily triggered by backcountry users and naturally in many locations. Traveling into avalanche areas in the hinterland is not recommended in the above-mentioned areas on Sunday and Monday.

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, Colorado has recorded no avalanche deaths and only one injury this year.

Monday winds pose a dangerous fire threat to the I-25 corridor in the Eastern Plains

Strong, gusty winds will continue to spread Monday, resulting in increased and potentially critical fire conditions, potential for blowing dust and hazardous travel, according to the National Weather Service.

From Fort Collins to the Eastern Plains and in the foothills from Fort Collins to south of Denver, there will be a high percentage of wind gusts of 50 miles per hour or more.

Larimer County is the driest in Colorado. The latest drought monitoring map shows the entire county is in severe drought and the northeast tip is in extreme drought.

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