WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 ...Critical Fire Conditions Foothills and Plains this Afternoon...  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  Snow will continue 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.  Gusty winds are also expected Sunday across the plains, with gusts of 45 to 55 mph. The strongest winds will be focused over Elbert and Lincoln counties. The high winds could create areas of blowing dust with travel impacts possible along I-70. The warm and dry conditions along with these strong winds will also create fire weather concerns, with critical fire weather conditions possible Sunday afternoon.  Dry but cooler weather is expected through early next week, with only a few mountain snow showers forecast.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.