Pueblo, Colorado – Wind gusts up to 70 mph are whipping heavy snow across Colorado’s highest peaks early Wednesday, creating near-whiteout conditions above 11,000 feet that could make travel nearly impossible through midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until midnight MST tonight for the Eastern Sawatch Mountains and the Western Mosquito Range, including areas near Bonanza and Climax. An additional 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected, with localized totals up to 12 inches generally north of Cottonwood Pass.
The combination of intense winds and falling snow will produce blowing and drifting across exposed ridgelines and high mountain routes. Visibility may drop below a quarter mile at times, especially along passes and open alpine terrain. The strongest gusts could also snap tree limbs and cause scattered tree damage.
Drivers crossing high-elevation routes near Cottonwood Pass should delay non-essential travel and check Colorado road conditions by calling 511 before departing. Those in backcountry areas should secure gear and prepare for sudden drops in visibility.
Snow and wind will gradually ease after midnight, but dangerous travel conditions may persist into early Thursday at the highest elevations. Additional advisories could follow if bands redevelop.
