Strong wind, snow closing roads east of Fort Collins and affecting DIA flights
Fort Collins is now included in a winter weather advisory, though travel impacts are expected to be minimal from the storm hitting Colorado, according to the National Weather Service.
But if you are looking to travel in any direction from the city or travel through Denver International Airport, you better be prepared.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for areas including Fort Collins, Greeley and Denver until 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Snow accumulation could reach 4 inches and wind gusts to 50 mph are possible in the advisory area.
That is in addition to a blizzard warning for much of the northeastern plains and winter weather advisory for the northern mountains, which is impacting travel.
This story will be updated as conditions change.
Blizzard conditions for the northeast Plains today through tonight. Travel isn't recommended to the northeast, east and southeast of Denver. #cowx pic.twitter.com/h8qD90alEo
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 13, 2022
Fort Collins forecast calls for much more wind than snow
Snowfall totals in Fort Collins remain low with a forecast of an inch or two. But wind gusts could reach 40 mph or more during the storm, which will last into Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Snow is forecast to occur Tuesday morning through midafternoon, with patchy blowing snow possible. Any snow will be blown around by northwest wind 26 to 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph.
Snow chances diminish throughout Tuesday into Wednesday, but the wind remains Wednesday. Wind chill will drop into the minus category Wednesday night.
Highs will be in the 30s Tuesday and Wednesday.
Map from @ColoradoDOT showing most roads across northeast Colorado are closed due to snow & blowing snow. Don't expect this to change today with blizzard conditions continuing into this evening. #cowx pic.twitter.com/BGvbNLUqPC
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) December 13, 2022
Road closures starting to pile up on the Eastern Plains
Highways on the Eastern Plains are most impacted. Here are major road closures, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. For road conditions and closure updates, call 511 or visit cotrip.org/home.
Interstate 76 Brush to the Nebraska state line
Interstate 70 in both directions from Airpark Road (MP 292) to the Kansas state line
U.S. Highway 6 from Brush to the Nebraska state line
U.S. Highway 385 from Holyoke to Julesburg
Colorado Highway 52 from Fort Morgan to Colorado Highway 14
Eastbound Colorado 392 from U.S. Highway 85 to Colorado Highway 14
Eastbound Colorado Highway 14 from U.S. Highway 85 to Briggsdale
Colorado Highway 71 from Brush to the Nebraska state line
U.S. Highway 34 from Brush to the Nebraska state line
DIA flight cancellations increasing
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, DIA was reporting 517 flight delays and 110 cancellations, according to www.flightaware.
DIA is just outside the blizzard warning area but is forecast to receive 2 to 5 inches or more 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.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado weather update: Road closures and flight cancellations
