Pueblo, Colorado – Travel across Colorado’s high mountain passes could become very difficult to impossible beginning Friday as a powerful winter storm drops heavy snow across the eastern San Juan Mountains through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Sunday for elevations above 10,000 feet in the eastern San Juan Mountains. Snow accumulations between 10 and 18 inches are expected, with winds gusting up to 35 mph creating periods of blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
Wolf Creek Pass and Cumbres Pass are expected to see the worst conditions, with snow intensifying Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday night. Gusty winds may lead to brief whiteout conditions, making travel especially dangerous for high-profile vehicles and anyone caught in exposed areas. The storm is expected to impact the Friday evening travel window as conditions deteriorate rapidly after midday.
Colorado transportation officials urge travelers to delay mountain travel if possible and check road conditions before departure. Drivers who must cross high elevations should carry emergency supplies, including food, water, blankets, and a flashlight, and be prepared for sudden closures or chain requirements.
The winter storm warning remains in effect through early Sunday morning, and additional advisories could be issued if snowfall totals increase or travel impacts worsen across the southern Colorado high country.
