Update: Winter storm watch in effect until Friday, up to 14 inches of snow predicted

Another round of snowstorms is predicted to roll through Aspen and the Colorado mountains over the next three days, according to a winter storm watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The watch goes into effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday and lasts into Friday with as much as 14 inches of snow predicted in some areas. Along with the snow, winds gusting up to 40 mph are possible at higher elevations.

The watch, which goes until until noon Friday, covers most of western Colorado and includes Aspen, Snowmass, Marble and the Elk and West Elk mountains.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said the heavy snowfall should be Thursday evening.

“Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts up to 14 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph,” according to the NWS’s Grand Junction office. “Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The snow is expected to fall tonight with a second round of heavier snowfall arriving Thursday evening.”

Forecasters said a “very wet Pacific storm will bring more rain and snow Thursday afternoon through early Friday with heavy snow expected across the mountains. Unsettled weather will remain in the region through early next week with temperatures dropping below normal over the weekend.”

High temperatures Wednesday through Friday are either side of 40 degrees and another system could move in Saturday.