Colorado Faces Its First Major March Snowstorm with Blizzard Conditions
Colorado’s first major March snowstorm brings blizzard warnings and severe weather conditions. Affected areas include Douglas County along I-70 to Kansas, expecting 1 to 8 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 70 mph. School closures have been announced, and travel is warned to be treacherous. The Front Range Mountains may see heavy snowfall as well.
Colorado is experiencing its first major snowstorm of March, designated as a First Alert Weather Day, which has prompted a blizzard warning. This storm, notably warm, is expected to collide with cold air moving south from Wyoming, leading to substantial winds, rain, and snow across the state.
The most affected regions include Douglas County, extending along Interstate 70 to Kansas and into northeastern Colorado, specifically along Interstate 76. A blizzard warning is in effect from Monday evening until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, forecasting:
– 1 to 6 inches of snow near the Palmer Divide
– 2 to 8 inches across the far Eastern Plains
– Wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph are also anticipated.
Numerous school districts on Colorado’s Eastern Plains have canceled classes due to the severe weather, which is expected to create hazardous travel conditions. Heavy snowfall is predicted in areas such as the Palmer Divide, from Castle Rock to northern Colorado Springs and towards Limon, with potential accumulations of 1 to 6 inches.
In downtown Denver, conditions are expected to be wet or slushy with possible snow accumulations of up to 1 inch, while regions north towards Fort Collins may only see a trace of snow. The wind patterns will predominantly be northward due to the Cheyenne Ridge along the Colorado/Wyoming state line, creating a significant dry shadow yet fostering strong upslope winds further south on the Palmer Divide.
The Front Range Mountains are forecasted to receive heavy snowfall, ranging between 8 to 18 inches, including wind gusts potentially hitting 50 mph. The western mountains may see 4 to 10 inches of snow, while Trinidad and Raton Pass could experience snowfall totals of 2 to 7 inches accompanied by gusty winds up to 65 mph. Strong winds will persist across numerous regions throughout Tuesday afternoon.
The ongoing snowstorm in Colorado is anticipated to significantly impact travel and weather conditions, particularly across the Eastern Plains and the Front Range Mountains. With substantial snowfall, high wind gusts, and blizzard warnings in place, authorities advise residents to exercise caution. The combination of snow and wind creates hazardous conditions that may affect daily activities, prompting school closures in the hardest-hit areas.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
