Weather
Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Through Oct 31: Snow Squall Dangers
Denver, CO – Colorado drivers can encounter dangerous highway conditions when sudden snow squalls and strong winds reduce visibility to near zero. As winter weather preparedness messaging continues We
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-28T09:56:56.430Z
Denver, CO – Colorado drivers can encounter dangerous highway conditions when sudden snow squalls and strong winds reduce visibility to near zero. As winter weather preparedness messaging continues Wednesday, Oct. 28, motorists are being reminded that brief bursts of heavy snow can turn mountain passes and exposed highways into serious travel hazards.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , snow squalls are short lived bursts of intense snowfall, often accompanied by gusty winds and rapidly deteriorating visibility. Conditions can change within minutes, leaving drivers little time to respond.
How Snow Squalls Threaten Colorado Highways Interstate 70, Interstate 25, Interstate 76 and U.S. Highway 285 are among Colorado's major travel corridors where sudden snowfall and blowing snow can create hazardous driving conditions.
Motorists traveling through Denver, Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit, Eagle and El Paso counties may encounter rapidly changing visibility, especially on elevated roadways and mountain routes.
Interstate 70 near Georgetown, the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels, Silverthorne and Vail Pass is particularly vulnerable to rapidly changing winter conditions.
Across eastern Colorado, strong winds can sweep loose snow over open highways, producing dangerous visibility reductions even after snowfall ends.
What Is a Snow Squall Warning? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
These warnings typically last 30 to 60 minutes and may activate Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
A warning signals an immediate threat to motorists, particularly at interstate speeds, where sudden whiteouts can contribute to chain reaction crashes.
Colorado drivers should also monitor Winter Storm Warnings and Blizzard Warnings, which may indicate longer lasting hazards.
What Colorado Drivers Should Do When a Snow Squall Warning is issued, the safest option is to delay travel until conditions improve .
Drivers already traveling should reduce speed gradually, increase following distance and turn on headlights.
Avoid sudden braking, abrupt lane changes and stopping in active travel lanes. If visibility deteriorates, exit the highway safely when possible.
Motorists can check road closures, traction requirements and travel conditions through COtrip .
Official forecasts and warnings are available from the NWS Denver/Boulder office , NWS Pueblo office and NWS Grand Junction office .
Winter weather preparedness messaging continues through Saturday, Oct. 31, as part of this editorial series , emphasizing how quickly snow squalls and blowing snow can transform Colorado highways into dangerous whiteout conditions.