Warnings issued in Colorado mountains as snowstorm expected to bring ‘blizzard conditions’ with heavy snow, high winds

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of the Colorado Rocky Mountains as heavy snow is expected to impede travel.

The winter storm warning is in effect from 3 p.m. Monday, March 3, through 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, according to the National Weather Service. Snow and ice covered roads will make travel hazardous and potentially “very difficult,” the warning states.

The winter storm warning is in place for Summit, Grand, Clear Creek and Park counties above 9,000 feet of elevation. It includes the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels on Interstate 70, Berthoud Pass on U.S. Highway 40 and Rabbit Ears Pass on U.S. Highway 40. Snow accumulations between 8-16 inches are expected as well as winds gusting as high as 65 mph.

Other areas west of the divide, including portions of Eagle, Pitkin, Routt and Garfield counties, are under a winter weather advisory with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected.

The deepest powder is likely to be found Tuesday in the northern mountains with a high chance for 8-14 inches or more, OpenSnow founding meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote in a blog post. Ski areas closest to the Continental Divide, such as Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Loveland Ski Area are likely to see the highest totals, Gratz wrote.

After this snowstorm, Wednesday is expected to be dry, before a second storm is expected to roll through from Wednesday night through Friday night, Gratz wrote. That storm is expected to favor the southern and central mountains, he said.

Moderate to heavy snow is expected on the I-70 corridor from Vail Pass to the tunnels, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Accumulations of up to 17 inches and high winds could affect mountain passes, potentially requiring avalanche mitigation, the news release states.

“If you must be out during blizzard conditions, prepare for the possibility of road closures in impacted areas,” the news release states. “Have an emergency kit with blankets, food, water and batteries.”