WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado.  .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight  Warm and very dry conditions will prevail again today. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are expected over much of the area this afternoon with low humidities and gusty winds. Winds will diminish over the plains this evening.  Snow showers will increase from west to east across the mountains tonight with heavy snow expected by later tonight over Western Jackson county, including Rabbit Ears pass. High mountain passes are expected to become slick later tonight with icy and snow covered roads.  .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday  On Sunday, wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected in Elbert and Lincoln Counties while gusts up to 45 mph are possible across the rest of the plains. These high winds will create areas of blowing dust that could impact travel along I-70 near Limon. The mild and dry conditions partnered with the high winds will also create fire weather concerns. Critical fire weather conditions are possible across the eastern plains with higher chances of seeing critical conditions farther east.  Snow is expected to fall across the higher terrain Sunday into Monday morning. The heaviest snow will fall in the Park Range where 6 to 12 inches of snow is expected. Amounts will be lighter across the Front Range mountains with 2 to 8 inches of snow expected there. Mountain passes will be slick or snow-covered which will create hazardous travel conditions. The worst travel conditions will be Sunday morning when snowfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour.  Late Monday through Wednesday should stay mostly dry across our forecast area although some light snow showers are possible Tuesday in the northern mountains. The next system to bring precipitation to Colorado arrives on Thursday bringing mountain snowfall and possibly mixed precipitation to the plains.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.