Steamboat Springs, Colorado – Travel across northwest Colorado’s high country could become nearly impossible before sunrise Wednesday as a major winter storm begins burying the Park and Elkhead Mountains under heavy snowfall.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Grand Junction and Denver, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from early Wednesday morning through late Thursday morning for the Elkhead and Park Mountains, including Rabbit Ears Pass and areas above 9,000 feet in west Jackson and west Grand counties. Snow totals of 6 to 15 inches are expected, with localized accumulations reaching 20 inches at the highest elevations of the Park Range.
Snow is forecast to intensify quickly after daybreak Wednesday, with prolonged periods of heavy snowfall continuing through Wednesday night. Rabbit Ears Pass is expected to see the most severe impacts, with whiteout conditions and snow-packed roads likely for extended periods. Travel across exposed mountain routes near Mount Zirkel, Columbine, Hahns Peak, and Toponas may be shut down intermittently due to rapidly accumulating snow.
Colorado Department of Transportation crews will be monitoring conditions, but drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel during the warning period. Those who must travel should carry emergency supplies, including food, water, warm clothing, and a flashlight, as delays or road closures are possible.
Snow tapers late Thursday morning, though hazardous travel conditions may linger well into the afternoon. Additional warnings or extensions remain possible if snowfall rates remain high or bands stall over the Park Range.
