Fresh snow will make roads slick and fuel dangerous avalanche conditions across the mountains this weekend, forecasters say.
The National Weather Service wrote that northern Colorado mountains can expect light to moderate snow, with between 8 and 12 inches falling through Friday night near Rabbit Ears Pass and Cameron Pass, and 3 to 7 inches expected elsewhere.
Travel could become “difficult to impossible” at Rabbit Ears Pass, where U.S. 40 crosses the Continental Divide, the agency said. Drivers should take a flashlight, food and water with them if they must travel through the area late Friday.
Patchy, blowing snow could also impact travel in areas above 10,000 feet, with additional rounds of snow expected Saturday afternoon and Sunday night.
The risk of avalanches will also climb Saturday, with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center ranking the danger in many popular ski areas as “high” — the second-highest risk category.
Mountain ranges where dangerous slides are possible include the Park Range and Elkhead Mountains near Steamboat Springs, the Flat Tops, Gore Range, West Elk Mountains, Ragged Wilderness and Ruby Range, CAIC reports.
“New snow and strong winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions starting Friday night and lasting through Monday,” the center wrote. “Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during this time.”