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Regional views of the Denver region and the I-70 mountain corridor east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT)
The storm will move through the Denver area on Wednesday and could make for difficult overnight travel with rough road conditions. The metro area could see three to six inches of snow with heavy impacts north of the metro area and in the northern foothills. CDOT crews in the metro area began clearing snow Tuesday afternoon and will continue to be out in force to prepare for and respond to the storm. Snow and blowing snow will continue along the I-70 Mountain Corridor from Golden to the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel beginning Wednesday morning. Snow will fall at up to an inch per hour Wednesday afternoon. Drivers should be prepared for adverse weather conditions, including suitable tires and emergency supplies in case of closures. While CDOT plows are clearing snow, road conditions will be closed. CDOT crews along the mountain corridor are on snow shifts for most of the winter season.
I-70 Mountain Corridor and Northwest Colorado
Wind and heavy snow are expected in the high country. Snow will be heaviest on mountain passes in NW Colorado, including the I-70 Mountain Corridor, US 40 Rabbit Ears Pass, CO 133 McClure Pass, CO 65 Grand Mesa and CO 139 Douglas Pass. Drivers should anticipate safety closures for winter maintenance work.
Southeast Colorado
In the field, the snow will be less, but it will fall very quickly, limiting the passage on the highways. Wind-driven snow can lead to poor visibility in the field and very dangerous travel conditions. High winds make travel difficult, especially for high-end and commercial vehicles. Safety closures on I-25 may be possible due to high winds.
Southwest and south-central Colorado
Heavy snow and blowing snow is expected. Snow accumulations of 10-20 inches and more than 2 feet are possible in the southern San Juans. Wind gusts up to 55-65 mph at times. If it is not possible, travel will be very difficult. Snow and blowing snow greatly reduce visibility. White-out conditions can be caused by snow and ice. Travelers should be aware that icy conditions will require additional maintenance, winter snow operations and safety closures on many southwest Colorado highways.
Northeast Colorado
Wednesday morning’s commute will be affected in places like Boulder, Fort Collins and Greeley. A significant storm is expected to hit the area Wednesday afternoon, causing disruption to overnight transit services. In these areas, drivers are urged to work on television if possible. Strong storms can support snow-blowing areas, and low temperatures increase the risk of refreezing previously wet pavement. Conditions will improve quickly Thursday night, with most of the snow ending by midnight. Additionally, the storm is expected to have a significant impact on Wyoming, potentially causing interstate closures. Drivers should plan ahead and avoid traveling to Wyoming during this storm.
What drivers should know Avoid or limit driving during storm surges. Many areas of the state will experience sidewalk impacts and blowing snow due to strong winds. Work from home if you can. If you plan to travel, find out before you go by checking the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org for road conditions (see Resources below). Make sure your vehicle is winter-ready with all-weather tires and have a snow emergency kit. Once you’re on the road, take it slow, no sudden stops and leave plenty of distance. Make room for the plow! Stay three to four car lengths from the snow plow.
Safety Closures Safety closures are precautions taken during inclement weather to reduce traffic accidents, increase congestion, or other safety-related issues. During a safety closure, traffic on the interstate may be stopped, detoured or directed to the exit. Security closures help reduce delays, and most importantly, keep travelers safe.
Chain and Towing Laws When weather conditions are confirmed, CDOT will activate the traction law. If weather conditions worsen, CDOT activates chain laws for passenger and commercial vehicles. Drivers are notified of the active traction or chain rule through highway signage, COtrip.org and traffic/roadway condition alerts.
For more information on the requirements of the Traction Law and the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, visit codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw.
For more information about Commercial Vehicle Chain Law requirements, visit codot.gov/travel/colorado-chain-law.
Visit winter.codot.gov to learn more and see winter driving tips.
COtrip.org and COtrip Planner App If motorists must travel this winter storm, they are encouraged to visit COtrip.org and download the COtrip Planner app in advance. Drivers can sign up now for travel alerts through COtrip.org to see if there are highway closures or impacts on their favorite routes. The COtrip Planner app offers a “trip planner” feature that allows drivers to plan their routes and receive updates on road closures or accidents. Drivers can turn on the “hands-free, eyes-free” feature to receive these alerts via voice notifications and avoid impacting roads.
Know Before You Go Travelers are encouraged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts, expected travel impacts and current road conditions before hitting the road. CDOT resources include: Road Conditions and Travel Information website: www.COtrip.org
Free mobile app: COtrip Planner Chain and traction law information: www.codot.gov/admin/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw
Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COalerts See scheduled lane closures: codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html
Connect with us on social media: Twitter @coloradot and Facebook facebook.com/coloradodot Check for flood alerts at CAIC: www.avalanche.state.co.us
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