Spring is settling into the valley this weekend with plenty of sunshine and a dash of rain in the lowlands and snow atop the peaks, the National Weather Service reported.

Following a mid-week winter weather advisory that skipped over Garfield County, light showers could muddy the turf Friday morning, NWS Meteorologist Brianna Bealo said. But a warm system rolling in Friday afternoon could keep Glenwood Springs sunny and dry until Sunday evening.

“A ridge will move in Friday afternoon and hang out most of the weekend,” Bealo said.

A ridge is a weak weather system associated with warm temperatures, sunny days and a lack of precipitation, while a trough is the opposite, she explained. Glenwood Springs is forecast to see one trough Thursday night and into the wee hours Friday with a second coming through Sunday.

“Saturday is going to be the warmest with a high of about 60 degrees,” Bealo said. “Friday and Sunday both have highs in the low 50s.”

Overnight temperatures could drop to about 26 Friday, but Saturday and Sunday lows are forecast to be low-mid 30s.

For those taking advantage of the warm, sunny days to get outdoors, Bealo said elevations about 8,000 feet could see 1-3 inches of snow, rather than rain.

Above 8,000 feet could see temperatures reach into the high 30s, with lower temperatures on the highest peaks, she said.

Despite warm temperatures throughout March, snowpack for the Upper Colorado River Headwaters, which serves most of Garfield County, remains intact at about 96 percent of average, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service reported.

March was a wet month for the West Slope, with Garfield County and areas north experiencing about 99% of average precipitation. South of Garfield County, the West Slope saw higher than average precipitation, with some areas receiving more than 115% of average, the Natural Resources Conservation Service reported.

Reporter Ike Fredregill can be reached at 970-384-9154 or by email at ifredregill@postindependent.com.