Vail, Colorado – Travel across Colorado’s high country could become impossible late Monday night as heavy snow and wind gusts up to 80 mph hammer mountain passes through midweek.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Grand Junction, Denver and Pueblo, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from 11 p.m. Monday through early Thursday for much of western and central Colorado’s mountains. Snow totals will range from 8 to 20 inches, with isolated higher amounts over 21 inches in the Eastern San Juan Mountains. Winds may gust between 60 and 80 mph, especially along exposed ridges and passes.
Rabbit Ears Pass, Vail Pass, Monarch Pass, Red Mountain Pass, Wolf Creek Pass and Lizard Head Pass are all likely to see whiteout conditions and heavy drifting. Communities including Aspen, Snowmass, Telluride, Crested Butte and Silverton will experience prolonged snowfall with multiple waves through Wednesday.
Blowing snow may reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less, particularly during the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could down trees and power lines, leading to scattered outages.
Drivers should delay nonessential mountain travel and monitor Colorado 511 or cotrip.org for closures and traction laws. Warnings remain in effect through early Thursday as additional heavy bands develop midweek.
