Colorado’s mountains are expected to see strong winds and accumulating snow starting Friday, potentially bringing poor travel conditions to the Western Slope’s high terrain and country roads.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for portions of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield and Routt counties from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday, reporting 6 to 12 inches of snowfall across the Western Slope’s higher terrain with only a few inches of snow falling in the valleys.

The advisory is accompanied by a hazardous weather outlook for northeast and north central Colorado, including high elevation parts of Grand and Summit counties.

Federal meteorologists warn of a “strong and quick-moving storm system” starting Thursday night with high winds up to 35-45 mph in the valleys and 45-55 mph across the mountains. The advisory also forecasts accumulating snow and poor travel conditions across the mountains and Palmer Divide. Icy conditions are expected to continue through Sunday morning, according to Colorado Open Snow meteorologist Joel Gratz. High winds could continue through early next week.

The northern mountains will likely see little snow on Thursday night, with 3-6 inches at some central mountains. Snowfall is anticipated to intensify in the northern mountains around Friday morning, with moderate-to-intense snowfall throughout the afternoon, according to Gratz’s report.

In addition to Friday’s accumulated 3-6 inches of new snow, Saturday is expected to bring more tense showers as another piece of storm tracks over Colorado during midday and afternoon, with moderate-to-intense snow showers at night.

National Weather Service Forecaster Tom Renwick said Vail Pass will likely see between 6-8 inches of snow heading into the mountains. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s meteorology team is not expecting major impacts to the I-70 corridor, according to CDOT Communications Manager Austyn Dineen.

Dineen said motorists could see minor impacts from the wind, and that any closures and delays “are up to the drivers that are on the road” and whether or not they’re prepared.

“I would call this a typical winter storm, not a major storm. People should be prepared for winter driving,” she said.

Motorists will likely run into skier traffic along I-70 in both directions. According to the I-70 weekend travel forecast, the combination of high traffic volume and slowed travel from snow and wind could result in closures. Last year, delays were up to 30 minutes between noon and 7 p.m. for the weekend.

Although the snow will likely roughen up driving conditions on the mountains, skiers might be able to enjoy a powdery weekend on the slopes. Total accumulated snowfall should be around 7-15 inches for most mountains, with a few spots pushing toward 20 inches, Gratz said on Thursday. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning will all have some powder.

“I think Sunday morning’s first chair will be pretty enjoyable with a soft base, untouched snow on top, and clouds dissipating,” Gratz said in Wednesday’s report.