The National Weather Service says a blizzard could bring up to five feet of snow and 70-mile-an-hour gusts to the high mountains of southwestern Colorado.

A blizzard warning has been issued for a swath of that corner of the state.

Forecasters say most areas covered by the warning could get up to three feet of snow and 55-mile-an-hour gusts.

Other parts of western Colorado are forecast to get rain in the lower elevations and up to three feet of snow in the high country.

The Weather Service says the snow and wind are expected by Friday night.

Up to seven inches of snow is expected in the northern Colorado mountains. Snow and sleet are in the forecast for the southeastern corner.