The Colorado Department of Transportation is warning of travel impacts from a winter storm that was expected to move into Colorado Thursday night.

While the northeast corner of the state is forecast to receive 3-4 inches of total accumulation from the storm, the high country could see as much as a foot of snow by early Saturday morning.

"Motorists should plan to avoid holiday travel Thursday night into early Saturday morning, as the brunt of the storm and heavy snowfall impacts areas of the state. CDOT reminds motorists to check COtrip.org for road conditions and weather forecasts before traveling," CDOT said in a release.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for northeast Colorado effective from 11 a.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday. It warns that snow could be heavy at times, and slippery road conditions should be expected, impacting the Friday evening commute.

The storm is also expected to result in "dangerously low temperatures" that "could pose a threat to life if adequate precautions are not taken while outdoors."

CDOT also warned of strong, gusting winds that will be particularly hazardous for high-profile vehicles on the Eastern Plains.

Winter may have had a delayed start this season, but there have been several waves of snow impacting mountain travel throughout the holidays, with the first wave hitting the Western Slope on Dec. 23. While travelers on the Front Range and Eastern Plains saw little to no impact from the storm, motorists traveling the western half of the state encountered high-intensity snowfall rates and strong winds. These conditions led to natural avalanches and mitigation efforts with multiple mountain pass closures throughout the state.

"This week's storms have brought significant accumulations across the mountains," CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said. "As travelers plan to enjoy a holiday weekend in Colorado's beautiful places, please be mindful of the times when driving will be more challenging — especially as the storm picks up throughout the day on Thursday and is most intense on Friday. Visitors should ensure that rental vehicles are equipped for snow with all-wheel or four-wheel drive and ensure compliance with traction law requirements and safety best practices."

CDOT anticipates heavy traffic in the High Country as winter recreational enthusiasts take advantage of the fresh snowfall, along with New Year's holiday traffic. CDOT warns of potential road closures if avalanche mitigation is needed along mountain passes. With significant amounts of snowfall expected, this important winter maintenance work will be likely. Check avalanche conditions at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center: www.avalanche.state.co.us

John Lorme, CDOT's director of maintenance and operations, implored drivers to never pass a snowplow. "Plows have large blind spots where the plow driver cannot see you, so never pass a snowplow," Lorme said. "Additionally, snowplows often move at much slower speeds than surrounding traffic and may stop as they approach traffic hazards ahead. So please be patient, and give our plow drivers the space they need to clear the roads effectively and efficiently."