It is said the brunt of the storm is expected to hit tonight and the winter storm and blizzard warnings are scheduled to stay in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday, when most of the snow is expected to have moved out except for some flurries in the mountains.“It looks like the snow is going to be very significant," said Paul Frisbie, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

“There's going to be some significant drifting snow," Frisbie said. The entire state is expected to be hit, particularly the southern half, he said.

Local ski areas certainly were sharing that sentiment.  Purgatory, with a 17-inch base, had only 6 percent of the ski area open Sunday, according to its Web site.  But some snow already had fallen Sunday, and much more was expected. Wolf Creek ski area had received 9 inches overnight Saturday and had a 39-inch base Sunday, according to its Web site. Telluride Ski Resort was reporting a 20-inch base. Silverton Mountain Ski Area, which will be open Saturday and Sunday this week, was reporting variable conditions Sunday, with a 30- to 40-inch base on northern exposures and thinner snow down low.

After a break Wednesday, another storm is expected to move into the area Thursday, but Frisbie said it is expected to be warmer and carry less moisture.

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