The National Weather Service has issued a warning for heavy snow and rain that is set to sweep over Colorado from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. According to meteorologists, the snowfall is expected to commence around 3 p.m. Thursday and primarily affect the mountains along and south of Interstate 70, as well as areas of the southern foothills above 7500 feet of elevation.

Forecasts indicate that the mountainous regions can expect to receive an accumulation of 6 to 12 inches of snow overnight Friday, with potential for higher amounts over the Mosquito Range. Meanwhile, the higher-elevation foothills are predicted to see between four to 10 inches of snowfall.

Travelers should exercise caution as snow showers, along with the possibility of thunderstorms overnight, may lead to icy road conditions, particularly in the morning hours. The hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service emphasizes the potential dangers in the mountain areas.

In addition to the heavy snowfall, rainfall showers are expected to drench the Interstate 25 Corridor on Thursday afternoon, specifically from Denver down to the Palmer Divide. The National Weather Service meteorologists have also forecasted that thunderstorms and rain showers will persist throughout the weekend in the metro area.

As temperatures rise on Saturday and Sunday, it is anticipated that the frequency of thunderstorms and rain showers will also increase, adding to the accumulative rainfall.

Residents across Colorado are advised to stay informed about the weather conditions and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period of turbulent weather.