Grand Junction, CO – Travel across Colorado’s high country could slow to a crawl by 6 p.m. Thursday as a concentrated burst of snowfall targets major mountain corridors, including stretches of Interstate 70.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, additional mountain snow will continue through the end of the workweek, with the heaviest accumulation expected between 6 p.m. and midnight Thursday. Several ranges, including areas near Vail, Aspen, and Steamboat Springs, could pick up multiple inches overnight, with totals approaching 6 to 10 inches in favored terrain by early Friday.
Road conditions will deteriorate quickly on Vail Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, and Douglas Pass, where snow-packed lanes and reduced visibility under one mile are likely during peak snowfall rates. CDOT crews may need to implement traction laws or temporary closures if conditions worsen overnight.
Colder air settling in behind the system will push overnight temperatures below freezing across much of western Colorado, including Grand Junction, increasing the risk of icy roads during the Friday morning commute. Residents should limit nighttime travel, carry winter gear, and prepare for sudden slowdowns in mountain zones.
Snow will taper heading into Saturday morning, but cold conditions will linger, and additional advisories may be issued if snowfall intensifies in key passes.
