Portions of southeast and south central Colorado will be at an elevated risk for rapidly spreading wildfires Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning, set to start at 9:00 a.m., for Prowers, Baca, Las Animas, Huerfano, Custer and Fremont counties. Portions of Costilla, Alamosa, Saguache, and El Paso counties are also impacted. The warning is expected to continue until 5:00 p.m.
While drought conditions were largely unchanged in Colorado after six weeks of rapid deterioration, severe drought expanded into southeast Colorado.
Widespread snow is falling across the state this morning, covering roads and conditions are slick on major corridors. CDOT crews are focusing efforts on plowing and treating interstates and major state routes, making multiple passes.
[Updated to reflect the closures of Interstate 70 and US Highway 36, along with watch and warning updates.] A winter storm stretching from Colorado to the Great Lakes is bringing snow, wind and colder temperatures across the area.
Temperatures across the eastern plains of Colorado will approach records before a winter storm moves in to much of the state for the weekend.
Highs across the plains will feel like spring Friday as the northern quarter of the state sees temperatures in the 60s, while southeast Colorado will be in the 70s.
Colorado's eastern plains will be below freezing for a few days, with some snow falling Monday.
Mountain areas of Colorado, particularly the western half of the state, will continue to see wintery conditions through midday Sunday. The plains will remain largely dry, with above-average temperatures.
Snow clears out of the eastern mountains by midday, though roads may remain slick. The plains remain relatively warm Sunday, with highs in the upper 40s for the northeast, and low 50s for the southeastern part of the state. A north wind in the 15 to 25 miles per hour range will continue for a few hours as a front pushes through.
Severe drought has now entered western Colorado, and moderate drought conditions continued to expand in the southeast portion of the state.
