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Blizzard conditions expected this weekend in Colorado

It’s mid-November and time for truckers to keep a close watch on the winter weather forecast.

This weekend could be a bad one out west.

According to the Weather Channel, snow is expected to begin to fall Friday in the state of Washington, where the Cascades can expect to begin getting snow accumulations, and by the end of the weekend, up to a foot of snow could fall.

The snow will then move east as the weekend progresses, affecting several other mountain ranges.

"The system will move across Idaho to the Bitterroots, then into Colorado," Weather Channel Senior Meteorologist Dale Eck said. "Areas could see anywhere from a couple of inches to a foot and a half of snow along the way."

Very strong winds will accompany the snow in the Colorado Rockies. Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions are expected in the high country.

In fact, the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Colo., has issued a blizzard warning in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday night.

The weather service said winds will be as high as 20-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph or more Saturday afternoon into Sunday.

Snow accumulation of 10-20 inches is expected by Sunday night with up to 24 inches on exposed west facing ridges.

The weather service said travelers can expect icy and snow-packed roads, including Interstate 70, especially over mountain passes. Strong winds are expected to create widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Whiteout conditions are expected.

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