Colorado set for another storm; AFA parade canceled

Colorado is in for another spring snowmaker as this spring shapes up to be the snowiest period for a region thirsty for moisture.

Blizzard warnings were issued today for northern and eastern Colorado, and forecasters predicted up to a foot and a half of snow will fall in the mountains by Saturday night.

The National Weather Service warns that travel into the mountains or even north beyond Monument will be a dangerous proposition come morning.

Snowfall will become widespread tonight and heavy at times along the Continental Divide with up to 10 inches possibly by Saturday morning. The snow will be whipped by westerly winds at 15 to 30 mph, causing severe drifting and visibility problems.

After midnight tonight, the threat for heavy snow and strong winds will expand to the Pikes Peak region, especially along the Palmer Divide and the north half of El Paso County, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Pamela Evenson.

"There is a strong low pressure system that will be moving right overhead," Evenson said.

It will bring with it the potential for heavy, wind-driven snow and whiteout conditions by early Saturday morning, especially along the west side of Colorado Springs and areas from Woodmen Road and north to Wyoming.

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"We're looking at maybe 3 to 5 inches of snow over northern El Paso County starting late tonight and continuing through Saturday afternoon," Evenson said. "Then the winds start to get really strong and there is potential for poor visibility."

Because of the weather forecast, The Air Force Academy's annual Founders Day/Sponsor Appreciation Parade, scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled.

The winds will shift to the north, pounding the Palmer Divide area in Monument and containing most of the accumulation and visibility problems in that area.

"It could be close to blizzard conditions up there," she said, suggesting snowfall downtown will be limited to an inch or two with little to the south.

Evenson had strong words of caution for anyone contemplating driving out of the region on Saturday.

"Don't do it," she said. "Definitely not. When the winds start to get really strong, there is potential for poor visibility.

"It's going to be worse in Denver area. The farther north you go, the worse it will be. It will probably be quite ugly, from the Palmer Divide and north."

The snowstorm is Colorado's third in less than two weeks. In late March, a fast-moving storm shut down Denver International Airport, stranding thousands of travelers overnight. Another storm last week caused traffic pileups resulting in at least three deaths.