WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FRONT RANGE MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS TONIGHT...  This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado.  .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight  Active weather will return late this afternoon and evening as showers and a few thunderstorms develop and a strong cold front arrives. A couple of the thunderstorms over the northeast plains may become severe with strong, gusty winds up to 60 mph. In addition, the cold front arriving early this evening will bring widespread gusty winds between 40 and 60 mph for an hour or two. Areas of blowing dust and poor visibility will be possible over portions of the northeast plains that have not seen much recent precipitation - mainly along and east of Sterling and Akron.  Meanwhile, snow will develop in the mountains late this afternoon and evening and become briefly heavy. There is potential for snow squalls which could produce very heavy snow, gusty winds, and brief near whiteout conditions. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches can be expected in the Front Range mountains and southern Front Range Foothills tonight, with lighter amounts in the northern foothills and Palmer Divide. Winter travel conditions will be possible overnight into the early morning hours of Friday.  For Denver and the northeast plains, rain showers and a few thunderstorms will overspread the area this evening, and then mix with and change to snow late this evening and overnight. Any accumulation should be light and confined to the grass and elevated surfaces.  .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday  There will be scattered showers lingering Friday morning over the southern half of the forecast area. The showers will be snow over the foothills, mountains and Palmer Ridge and rain showers over the far eastern plains. Additional snowfall amounts will be negligible.  Upper ridging and a warmer air mass will move into the forecast area later in the weekend into next week. Increasing moisture and instability will bring scattered late day showers and thunderstorms, especially to the high county, Sunday through Wednesday.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight. However, any reports of high winds late this afternoon and evening, or accumulating snow tonight will be appreciated.