Extremely strong winds will roar along the east slopes of the Front Range foothills today with widespread gusts between 50 to 75 mph and some areas being pounded with 90 mph blasts, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

The NWS has posted a high wind warning through 6 p.m. Saturday for the foothills and some mountain areas  including Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks, Georgetown and Fairplay.

In Denver on Saturday winds will gust to about 24 mph, skies will be partly sunny and the high temperature will be about 60 degrees, the weather service said. Overnight in the city, skies will be mostly cloudy, winds will gust to about 26 mph and the low temperature will dip to around 37 degrees.

On Saturday morning a wind gust in Denver played a part in toppling a commercial sign on a business near West 41st Avenue and Tennyson Street, a Denver Fire Department spokesman said.

The sign above the the soon-to-be-redeveloped Green Door Furniture came crashing down on the sidewalk along Tennyson, hitting a vehicle that was parked on the block. There were no reports of injuries.

In the mountains on Saturday, blowing snow may make for difficult travel in some areas, according to the NWS forecast. Winds in mountain valleys will gust between 30 to 50 mph with light snow in some areas. Snow in the mountains will increase tonight, with light accumulations expected along the Interstate 70 mountain corridor. Heavier snow is expected north of I-70, with periods of wind-blown snow on mountain passes including Rabbit Ears and Cameron.

Snow in the northern mountains will continue into Sunday morning before slowly decreasing in the afternoon. Total accumulations are expected to range from 5 to 10 inches of snow.

On Sunday in Denver skies will be partly sunny and the high temperature will hit about 52 degrees, the weather service said. Winds will be lighter with gusts up to 17 mph. Overnight Sunday in Denver skies will be partly cloudy and the low temperature will be near 33 degrees.

The regional weather on Monday and Tuesday is forecast to be warmer and drier. Gusty southern winds on the Eastern Plains will elevate fire concerns in widespread areas. An approaching storm system is expected to track over the Central Rockies by mid-week, bringing a chance for snow to the mountains and rain and snow to the plains.

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