Local weather experts predict how bad it's going to be

After a dry winter, the spring storm factory is finally firing up.

Weather forecasters are calling for the biggest storm of the year to hit. But how hard will it punch?

Predicting just how much snow Colorado Springs will get is tricky, however (see main story for an explanation). A small shift in the storm's track often means big changes in the weather here in the Springs, but this is what local forecasters were calling for in Colorado Springs as of Wednesday afternoon:

Brian Bledsoe, KKTV/Channel 11

Forecast: 3-8 inches

"I'm always hesitant to put in huge snow for the Springs and Pueblo. I'm looking at one model that says the Springs could see a foot and a half and I'm looking at another that says we're only going to get five inches.

"Here, just because of terrain issues, we could run 14 (inches of snow) at Briargate and only two at the airport. We've seen that happen many a time.

"As it is, it's going to cause some pretty good problems. The afternoon commute is probably going to be horrendous."

Matt Meister, KRDO/Channel 13

Forecast: 2-6 inches

"It looks like during the morning (Thursday), things will start to go downhill. By noon time, we'll have a couple places up north of downtown that are starting to get pretty rough.

"It is a spring storm - you get a lot of variability, too. Real localized stuff happens and you get thunderstorm pockets, basically, that drop huge amounts of snow. Something crazy like that is still a possibility.

"You have to keep adjusting as the thing comes in. Those small details, they're important."

Terry Gerbstadt, KXRM/Channel 21

Forecast: 3-6 inches

Mike Daniels, KOAA/Channels 5&30

Forecast: 6-12 inches

Steve Hodanish, National Weather Service

Forecast: 4-8 inches

"We're pretty confident about this one; the tough part is predicting just how bad it's going to be. But I'll be shocked if I-25 doesn't get closed.

"It's Colorado Springs - the south side may not get much, while on the north side it could be pounding. If you're going to Denver (on Thursday) to work, you're not getting home."