Gusty winds ahead of a developing storm system had started in Colorado from the northwest overnight generated wind speeds in excess of 80 mph west of town on Tuesday afternoon. The Colorado weather forecast shows there will be more high winds on Wednesday.

The winds are forecast to increase overnight and Wednesday as the pressure gradient tightens in the morning. Peak gusts to 100 mph are possible along the Front Range foothills and over the northern and central mountains.

Chief Meteorologist Kathy Sabine says that a core of very strong winds from the Pacific Northwest is heading across northern Colorado, the nose of the northern jet will be diving southeast along the foothills creating the perfect scenario for powerful winds on Wednesday.

Another winter storm is expected to hit New Mexico tonight. It was pleasant this morning, and didn’t get colder than 34 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.

By midday, the temperature was already pushing 50 degrees, and by midmorning it almost seemed like you could see all the way to California.By this time tomorrow there’s a real good chance temperatures could be 20 degrees colder and snow on the ground.

Friday: A 70 percent chance of snow is likely, with accumulation of one to three inches possible..

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 38. North-to-northeast wind between 6 and 9 mph. Mostly clear Christmas Eve, with a low around 21.

Christmas Day: Sunny, light wind from the North, with a high near 45. Clear Saturday night, with a low around 22.