Up to 5 FEET of snow possible on popular peak as major storm approaches Colorado

Wintry weather is set to roar back into Colorado this weekend, with widespread double-digit snow totals likely to impact mountain travel. Related 'winter weather' advisories have been issued.

In the most likely scenario, the National Weather Service reports that up to 36 inches of snow could fall along the state's northern stretch of the Continental Divide, including in the area of Grand County, Larimer County, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Pikes Peak could also get about 30 inches of snow. it's also worth noting that stretches of I-70 could get up to two feet of snow.

The I-25 corridor should get missed, along with Grand Junction. That said, those areas should get plenty of rain.

Where things really get wild is in the event of the 'high-end' snowfall scenario. In that scenario, deeper totals are much more widespread in the northern and central mountain regions. In this scenario, parts of southwest Colorado could get up to two feet of snow.

Perhaps even more interesting, some select 14,000-foot points could get some of their biggest storm totals of the snow season. Mountain-Forecast.com is currently calling for 60 inches of snow on Longs Peak through Sunday, 48 of which could fall on Saturday. Meanwhile, Pikes Peak could get 38 throughout the storm. Even if these estimated totals aren't reached, enough snow could land in the high country to set back the start of summer 14er season a bit.

All of that snow could be a good thing for Colorado's snowpack, which is currently dwindling fast – at 82 percent of the norm for this point in the year amid warm and dusty conditions. A slow melting snowpack can be important for moisture sticking around later into the season.

Regardless of whether it's snow or rain, Coloradans should expect plenty of moisture this weekend.

Find additional updates on the National Weather Service website.