Weather forecasts are calling for a snowy start to spring in Steamboat, with the National Weather Service issuing a winter weather advisory running from 6 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The advisory calls for 4-7 inches of snowfall with winds reaching 40 mph.

Local meteorologist Mike Weissbluth, who posts twice-weekly forecasts to SnowAlarm.com, is forecasting 5-10 inches of new snow at Steamboat Resort by sunset Tuesday. “A reinforcing wave of cold air will continue the snowfall overnight with our favorable moist and unstable northwest flow bringing an additional 3-6 inches overnight and 1-4 inches during a cold Wednesday as snow showers taper off during the day,” Weissbluth added.

According to Joel Gratz, founding meteorologist at OpenSnow.com, snowfall on the mountain Tuesday should bring 3-5 inches of new accumulation before last chair, with temperatures in the 20s. Gratz anticipates 2-4 inches of additional snowfall overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

“Wednesday morning should offer fun conditions with 4-10 inches of total snowfall from Tuesday midday through Wednesday morning,” Gratz wrote. “Clouds and snow showers could stick around for a lot of the day, and the high temperature will be in the teens, and this should keep the snow in quality condition for most of the day.”

Weissbluth anticipates that spring’s arrival during the wee hours Thursday will be closely followed by another round of snow. “The sun crosses north of the equator at 3:01 a.m. Thursday, March 20, marking the vernal equinox and the first day of spring,” Weissbluth wrote. “Mother Nature will try to oblige with a mostly sunny morning thanks to a quick-moving ridge of high pressure, but increasing clouds during the day will be ahead of a moderate wintry storm starting Thursday night.”

Snow showers remain in the Steamboat forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well, according to the weather service.