Mt. Zirkel, Colorado – Drivers crossing Rabbit Ears Pass by 5 a.m. Wednesday could face snow-packed pavement and rapidly dropping visibility as heavy mountain snow ramps up before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Denver, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 5 a.m. Wednesday until 11 a.m. Thursday for West Jackson and West Grand counties above 9,000 feet, including the Park Range and Rabbit Ears Pass. Forecasters expect 6 to 15 inches of snow, with up to 20 inches possible at the highest elevations.
Snowfall will intensify through Wednesday morning, creating hazardous travel along U.S. Highway 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass. Blowing snow and steep terrain could make travel very difficult to impossible at times, especially Wednesday afternoon and overnight into early Thursday.
Backcountry areas near Mount Zirkel Wilderness will see the heaviest totals, increasing avalanche concerns in steep terrain. CDOT crews will monitor conditions, but chain laws or temporary closures are possible if snowfall rates overwhelm plowing operations.
Travelers should delay non-essential trips, check cotrip.org or call 511 for real-time road updates, and carry emergency supplies including blankets, food, water and a flashlight. Conditions are expected to gradually improve after 11 a.m. Thursday as snowfall tapers, though slick roads may linger into midday.
