According to Joel Gratz over at OpenSnow.com, Colorado is in for a treat this weekend— a good old fashioned snow storm! Expected to move through the mountains between 9pm and 3am Thursday night, the front range (mostly on the Northern end of I-70) will see very heavy snow for just a few hours, producing a few inches of white gold.

Here’s a forecast model showing the projected radar as of 10pm Thursday night:

snowstorm-inpost
Source: CAIC | onsnow.com

After Friday morning calms down into a quiet flurry, the storms are predicted to pick back up throughout the day, concentrating mainly from areas around Aspen north to I-70 and the Wyoming border. The heaviest snowfall is anticipated along the divide from Keystone north to Abasin, Loveland, Winter Park, Eldora, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Cameron Pass. Aboute 6-12″ are predicted, with perhaps a bit more in some places. Not tobe left out, Steamboat should also get a solid hit of snow during the front on Thursday night, and just about as much on Friday as the aforementioned areas.

Further west along I-70, around Copper and Vail, and down to Aspen a few inches are predicted to arrive as the front comes through, with an additional 1-3″ falling during the day on Friday. After all is said and done, 3-6″ of accumulation is a safe bet. Thursday night is predicted to drop a quick 3-6″ in the San Juan Mountains, with a concentration over Telluride and Red Mountain Pass.

Also See: Snow Report: Which slopes will see the most snow this season?

Overall, heavy snow is expected to fall along the front Thursday night, lingering on through Friday while the temp remains sufficiently cold. The snow will end Friday night, though the cold front will continue through Saturday. Sunday morning provides a reprieve from the storm, though the front is expected to take another whack at Colorado come Wednesday!

It’s happening, ladies and gents! Winter is taking her first stabs and turning Colorado into the white giant we know and love.

For more details and forecast from around the country, check out opensnow.com