...A Prolonged period of light to moderate snow and occiasional strong winds should impact the mountains... .A Pacific storm system will generate a prolongued period of snowfall across the north central mountains of Colorado. Snow will begin late Thursday and may not end until sometime on Sunday. There will be periods of moderate to even heavy snow throughout the three day period. The most likely times are on Friday morning when a 170kt jet crosses the state, and another could be late Saturday into Sunday when the last piece of the storm system moves across our area. Blowing snow and near white out conditions are also possible across teh higher mountain passes Friday morning when winds may gust over 70 mph. In total, 1-2 feet with isolated amounts approaching 3 feet are possible during the three day period. Travel through the mountains will be difficult, especially during period of moderate to ehavey snow and strong winds. If you are planning to travel through the mountains Friday through Sunday, check cotrip.org often for the latest road conditions and be prepared for extremely difficult travel conditions. ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 70 mph on Friday morning. * WHERE...Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range and The Mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks. * WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible during periods of high winds and moderate snow, especially Friday morning and again late Saturday into Sunday.