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Winter Storm Watch & Fire Weather Warnings Issued Ahead Of Weekend Storm

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - A strong mid-latitude cyclone was spinning off the northwest coast of the United States Wednesday and it promises a major weather change for Colorado.

Ahead of the storm the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Front Range mountains and foothills where some locations could see anywhere from 1-3 feet of snow before all is said and done.

Locations in the Winter Storm Watch include Evergreen, Conifer, Central City, Idaho Springs, Winter Park, Estes Park and Breckenridge.

A watch means there is still some uncertainty in the forecast details and to pay attention to future forecasts.

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(credit: NWS)

Meanwhile on the eastern plains Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Thursday afternoon where strong gusty winds, warm temperatures and dry air will create high fire danger.

Friday could be Colorado's first "severe weather day" of the season as cold air begins to move in from the north, clashing with the warm air already in place. The result will be a round of strong to severe thunderstorms, some of which could produce large hail and a few tornadoes somewhere along and east of Interstate 25.

FREE: CBS4 Severe Weather Guide

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The current outlook for severe storm on Friday, April 15, 2016. (credit: NOAA/SPC)

The main event will get underway by late Friday and early Saturday and it could last into Monday of next week.

Here's what we know about this storm...

  • it is large and covers hundreds of miles
  • it's packed full of water with moisture from both the Pacific and eventually the Gulf of Mexico
  • the storm will move slow thanks to a blocking ridge of high pressure downstream
  • Here are a few questions that we still need to answer as the storm evolves...

  • How much cold air will be transported down from Canada?
  • Where will the exact position of the surface low be located?
  • How low will the rain/snow line get over the weekend?
  • Right now it looks very probable that snow will fall in elevations above 7,000 feet and it could be heavy. But the forecast for snow across lower elevations, including Denver, still isn't clear.

    As the storm moves on shore tonight and tomorrow it will be sampled by dozens of land-based weather stations and by weather balloons which will provide greater detail about it.

    Stay with CBS4 and Colorado's Weather Center for the latest.

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    A model's depiction of where a large storm will be located on Saturday, April 16. (credit: NCAR)

    Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.

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