Pueblo, CO – The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Eastern Sawatch Mountains and the Western Mosquito Range, where heavy snow and gusty winds are expected from late Friday night through Saturday night.
The warning includes high-elevation areas above 11,000 feet, such as Climax and Bonanza, with snow totals between 6 and 12 inches likely and up to 15 inches north of Cottonwood Pass. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, creating near-whiteout conditions and hazardous travel across mountain passes.
Forecasters say snow will begin late Friday night, intensifying through Saturday morning and afternoon before tapering off by late Saturday night. The Friday evening commute could already be affected as snow spreads into higher mountain corridors.
The NWS Pueblo office warns that visibility will frequently drop below one mile during heavier snow and blowing snow periods. Drivers are urged to avoid unnecessary travel through high mountain routes, including Cottonwood Pass and adjacent summits, during the height of the storm.
If travel is unavoidable, residents should carry an emergency kit with food, water, and warm clothing and monitor Colorado 511 or CoTrip.org for real-time road updates.
