DENVER -- The last day of winter will bring a snowstorm to eastern Colorado, with several inches of accumulation possible. Spring begins at 11:26 a.m. mountain time on Monday.

Numerous winter storm watches have been issued for eastern Colorado and portions of Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska. A winter storm watch means that significant winter weather is expected, but not imminent, in the watch area sometime within the next 36 hours.

This is a complex storm system with generous amounts of moisture and very unstable air aloft. Lightning strikes were reported on Saturday afternoon across eastern Utah and southwestern Colorado. Snow fell during much of the day Saturday at Telluride and Wolf Creek Pass.

Low pressure will intensify over northeast New Mexico during the day on Sunday, dragging down cold air from the north and copious amounts of moisture from the south. The result will be rain changing to snow during the day on Sunday, with the potential for a few short-lived thunderstorms over eastern Colorado. A few storms could briefly reach severe limits, especially over southeast Colorado. The primary threat from any storms that form will be hail.

Snow is expected to intensify Sunday night, making for a slow and slick commute back to work and school Monday.

The storm will exit the region by Tuesday, leaving behind a blanket of snow and chilly afternoon temperatures.

The heaviest accumulations with this storm will favor the northeast plains and Front Range foothills, where a widespread 5 to 10 inches of snow is possible. Some locations in the foothills and in far northeast Colorado could see totals in excess of a foot by Monday night. Lighter amounts of 2 to 5 inches will fall in the mountains and on the southeast plains.

Gusty winds out of the north and east will create difficult driving conditions overnight Sunday and early Monday, especially along Interstates 76 and 70 east of Denver. If you have travel plans heading east by car, this storm will affect much of Kansas and Nebraska with gusty winds and snow. You can find links for regional travel weather, including road conditions, in the sidebar at the top of this story.

Due to the wind and snow expected, there could be travel delays on flights at Denver International Airport starting Sunday afternoon. You can get current flight information for airports nationwide in the Travel Weather section of the weather page here on TheDenverChannel.com.

Stay with Colorado's most trusted team of meteorologists, led by Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson. The 24/7 Weather Center will be tracking this storm with the best forecast tools available. You can stay up to date with the latest information through the following sources:

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Weather page here on TheDenverChannel.com

Weather Line (303-832-0247)

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