Aspen area under snow advisory

ASPEN ” A snow advisory is in effect for the Colorado high country, including the mountains surrounding Aspen, on Wednesday night and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow developed on mountain peaks Wednesday afternoon and the snow level will drop to about 8,500 feet overnight, according to the weather service. Snow is expected to continue Thursday, with accummulations of 2 to 5 inches by late afternoon at elevations above 9,000 feet.

Whether Aspen will see any snow on the ground remains to be seen (the town is at 7,900 feet), but 12,095-foot Independence Pass, east of Aspen, is well above the predicted snow line.

The Colorado Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that it’s aiming to open the pass to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. on Thursday. CDOT also warned the pass could close again temporarily, depending on the weather, and that motorists may encouter winter-like conditions on the pass.

The storm, according to the weather service, will produce winter-like driving conditions over mountain passes and roadways, with snow, ice and slush possible.