Colorado snowstorm alert: Snow, wind to significantly impact travel

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·5 min read
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Here are some key topics we'll cover in this story about the upcoming snowstorm in Colorado:

  • Timing of the snowstorm

  • Travel impacts on roads and through the air

  • Snowfall total forecast

A complex system bearing down on Colorado has prompted the National Weather Service to warn of dangerous driving conditions due to heavy snow and strong wind creating whiteout conditions for parts of the state.

This storm is not expected to significantly impact Fort Collins and the Interstate 25 corridor, as of Monday afternoon forecasting. But the system is forecast to produce blizzard conditions just to the north and east of the city and heavy snow to the west that will impact travel in those directions and as well as air travel at Denver International Airport.

The weather service has issued a blizzard warning for the far northeastern plains from just east of Greeley to east of Sterling and then north into southeastern Wyoming and the Nebraska panhandle from midnight Monday, Dec. 12, through midnight Tuesday, Dec. 13, with 4 to 10 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph forecast.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the northern mountains from 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, with 6 to 18 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph forecast.

Timing of snow and wind in Colorado stretches into Wednesday

Northern mountains: Snow begins from the Vail area north through Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range by Monday afternoon. Snow and wind increase with the worst travel conditions (moderate, 3 on a scale from 1 to 4) expected from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Northern I-25 corridor: Snow begins Monday night, with the greatest travel impact from midnight Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, when moderate travel impacts are expected.

Far northeast plains: This area will see the longest duration of travel impacts. Snow moves in Monday night with moderate travel impacts beginning midnight Monday through 6 a.m. Tuesday. Then extreme conditions are expected from 6 a.m. through noon Tuesday, then downgraded to moderate through Wednesday.

Travel impacts expected on these major Colorado highways

Major roads expected to be impacted by whiteout conditions included in the blizzard warning are Interstate 76 west of Fort Morgan into the panhandle of Nebraska; U.S. Highway 34 from just east of Greeley to near Yuma; and Interstate 70 east of Denver to near Limon.

Major roads included in the winter weather advisory include mountain stretches of Interstate 70, Colorado Highway 14, U.S. Highway 34 and U.S. Highway 40.

Expect treacherous driving conditions at the height of the storm, with road closures possible. Travel is discouraged during the height of the storm in the blizzard warning area. If you travel, make sure to do so with a winter survival kit.

For road conditions, call 511 or visit cotrip.org/home#notifications.

Check with your airline before heading to DIA

DIA is just outside the blizzard warning area but is forecast to receive 2 to 5 inches of snow accompanied by strong wind.

It is advised you check with your airline carrier before heading to the airport.

DIA information can be found on its website at flydenver.com.

Expected snowfall totals reach up to a foot on Colorado's plains and mountains

The weather service in Boulder includes in its forecast a probabilistic snow forecast to show the chances of snow at certain amounts. The Coloradoan started using the probabilistic snow forecast in our stories last year to offer a better perspective and will use it again this season.

Fort Collins: Expected snowfall is 2 inches, with an 81% chance of more than 1 inch, 63% chance of more than 2 inches, 13% chance of more than 4 inches.

Greeley: Expected snowfall 3 inches; 87% chance more than 1 inch; 76% more than 2 inches; 54% more than 4 inches; 22% more than 6 inches.

Downtown Denver: Expected snowfall 2 inches; 81% chance more than 1 inch; 70% more than 2 inches; 23% more than 4 inches.

DIA: Expected snowfall 3 inches; 89% more than 1 inch, 80% chance more than 2 inches, 61% more than 4 inches, 19% more than 6 inches.

Akron: Expected snowfall 10 inches; 100% chance more than 2 inches; 98% chance more than 4 inches; 84% more than 6 inches; 64% more than 8 inches; 21% more than 12 inches.

Sterling: Expected snowfall 6 inches; 100% chance more than 2 inches; 83% more than 4 inches; 60% more than 6 inches; and 33% more than 8 inches.

Boulder: Expected snowfall 1 inch; 70% chance more than 1 inch; 52% more than 2 inches.

Winter Park: Expected snowfall 11 inches; 100% more than 6 inches; 80% more than 8 inches; and 28% more than 12 inches.

Walden: Expected snowfall 8 inches; 100% more than 4 inches; 84% more than 6 inches; and 50% more than 8 inches.

Vail Pass: Expected snowfall 10 inches; 100% more than 4 inches; 84% more than 6 inches; 53% more than 8 inches; 18% more than 12 inches.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado weather alert: Foot of snow possible on plains, in mountains