Up to 16 inches of snow is possible this weekend in the high country of Southwest Colorado, according the National Weather Service.

A cold front will likely lead to more accumulation of snow, said Dennis Phillips, a meteorologist for the NWS in Grand Junction.

“This is a colder storm than we’ve seen,” he said. “So definitely the snow will be lighter, less dense and accumulate better.”

Friday is forecast to remain sunny and relatively warm in Montezuma County, with daytime highs in the low 50s. But starting Saturday, the storm is expected to enter the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 2 p.m. Saturday until 2 p.m. Sunday.

Phillips said light snow could start Friday night, but the best chance for snowfall is expected Saturday afternoon into the evening. The snow is expected to continue into early Sunday morning.

During that time, the high country could see anywhere from 8 to 16 inches of snow, with highest amounts above 11,000 feet in elevation.

For lower elevations along the U.S. Highway 160 corridor from Pagosa Springs to Cortez, the NWS predicts 2 to 4 inches of accumulation.

“It’ll continue to wind down Sunday throughout the day and be out of the valley by mid-morning,” Phillips said. “Some snow may linger in the high country (Sunday).”

Phillips said precipitation may start to fall Saturday as rain, but as the cold front moves in throughout the day, it should turn to snow.

The storm is expected to affect travel, he said.

jromeo@durangoherald.com