WINTER STORM WARNINGS are in effect for all mountain areas west of Vail Pass until Friday evening. Total snowfall of 24 to 38 inches is forecast for the San Juans and southwestern mountains, with 20 to 28 inches for the central mountains (including Aspen and Vail) with 12 to 20 inches in the northwest near Steamboat Ski Resort.

At lower elevations along the western slope including Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Cortez, Durango and nearby areas storm total snowfall of 6 to 12 inches is forecast.

A storm that dumped up to 2 feet of fresh, dry snow on Southwest Colorado ski resorts Thursday also brought snow, wind, and bitter cold to the northeast corner of the state.

Several highways were shut down Thursday because of accidents, treacherous conditions, and work to prevent avalanches.

Thirty-two United and United Epress flights out of Denver were canceled Thursday, but most United Flights are still operating.

In the Denver area, snow amounts ranged from about 3 inches in parts of the metro area to 6 inches and more in the foothills Thursday afternoon.

In Southwest Colorado, Wolf Creek Ski Area reported 2 feet of new snow. In northeast Colorado, forecasters are warning of wind chill readings near 20 below zero, with 6 to 10 inches of snow.
The period from September to December 2010 has been the least snowy on record, so far, with 1.5 inches at Denver International Airport and 3.4 inches at Stapleton. The current record is 3.8 inches, set in 1888, so only 2.4 inches of snow at DIA on Thursday will knock us out of the driest spot.