Pueblo, Colorado – Heavy snow and strong winds are producing dangerous winter conditions across southern Colorado on Friday, Jan. 9, as multiple Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect from the Front Range foothills to the southeastern plains.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, a Winter Storm Warning continues until 5 p.m. MST Friday, Jan. 9, for the Wet Mountains, where snowfall totals of 8 to 15 inches are expected, with the heaviest accumulation along northeastern-facing slopes near Rye. Travel in these areas may become very difficult to impossible.
Additional Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, for Walsenburg, Trinidad, eastern and western Las Animas County, and the Upper Huerfano River Basin, where 5 to 8 inches of additional snow is expected. Winds gusting up to 40 mph may cause blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
In the Colorado Springs area, including southern El Paso County and Peterson Space Force Base, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Snowfall totals of 4 to 7 inches are forecast, with wind gusts up to 45 mph creating blowing snow and visibility reductions below one mile, particularly during the Friday morning commute, Jan. 9.
Further east, Baca County, including Springfield and Walsh, is under a Winter Storm Warning from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected and gusty winds increasing travel hazards.
In higher elevations of Teller County, the Rampart Range, and Pikes Peak, snowfall totals of 6 to 13 inches are expected through 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, while northern El Paso County, including Black Forest, could see 5 to 10 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 50 mph.
The National Weather Service warns that conditions may rapidly deteriorate, especially during the Friday morning and evening commutes, Jan. 9. Blowing snow may create whiteout conditions on exposed roadways.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel. If travel is unavoidable, drivers should carry emergency supplies including food, water, and a flashlight, and check road conditions by calling 511 before departing.
