Up to 11 inches of snow to hit part of Colorado as snowstorm rolls through state

Mother Nature is kicking off 2021 by tossing a fresh blanket of snow over the mountains in Colorado. 

According to the National Weather Service, a storm is expected to hit Colorado on Tuesday into the evening, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and some rain to parts of the state.

The bulk of the snow is forecasted to hit in the northern mountains, favoring the Park Range near Steamboat Springs. Nearly a foot of snow is expected, with snow accumulations likely to range between 5 and 11 inches in this northwestern part of the state. Elsewhere in the state, including the I-70 corridor, snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are expected.

Strong winds could also create areas of blowing snow, contributing to low visibility at times. 

"Strong winds will increase over the mountains this morning, then spread over the plains this afternoon," tweeted the National Weather Service. "Gusts up to 65 mph possible over the mountains and up to 50 mph across the plains."

In addition to the snow, there's also a chance of rain in the forecast for the northeastern plains. 

According to Joel Gratz of OpenSnow, the next chance for snow following Tuesday will arrive on Saturday with the "best chances for snow in the southern half of the state and along the Front Range east of the divide."

It's still too early to pinpoint exact snow amounts for Saturday's storm.

If you’re traveling around the state this winter, it’s crucial to be aware of road closures and traction laws. Before planning your travels, it's important to know which roads tend to close during the winter months.

Editor's Note: All weather statements and snow accumulations are subject to change. Check the official  Colorado Department of Transportation website for up-to-date information on road conditions and the  National Weather Service for updates on incoming storms. For your mountain forecast, we recommend visiting  OpenSnow. For daily avalanche conditions, always check with  avalanche.state.co.us before heading into the backcountry.