How does Colorado spell spring? S-N-O-W

The calendar says it’s spring, but that doesn’t mean snow season has ended, based on a blizzard warning from the National Weather Service for parts of Colorado.

The temperatures in the Denver area was expected to reach the high 60s on Monday but drop rapidly in the evening. By the early hours of Tuesday, it will be cold enough to turn rain into snow, with accumulations of two to four inches expected, the weather service said.

“The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a blizzard warning ... which is in effect from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT Tuesday,” the service said on its website. Among the areas near Pueblo that could be hit are northern El Paso County, Palmer Lake, Monument, Black Forest, Peyton and Calhan. The area around the Air Force Academy also could see snow.

Snow accumulations in those areas could run from as little as three inches to as much as six inches with drifts up to several feet driven by north winds of 20 to 20 miles an hour and gusts of wind as fierce as 50 miles per hour. That level of wind will make visibility near zero at times.

“Dangerous travel conditions are expected Tuesday morning due to heavy blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions for long period of time,” the service said. The service urged people stay off of the roads, if possible.

There is a 20% chance of snow Wednesday morning before 7 a.m., but then skies are expected to become partly sunny in Denver.

Then the storm is expected to move on to the Midwest.

ALSO:

Two children killed in trench collapse in N.C.

Woman leads prayer at major Mormon conference

Fish on board set adrift by Japan tsunami land in U.S.

michael.muskal@latimes.com