Track this storm through the morning, including snow totals and updated forecasts, on the First Alert 5 Weather stream, which can be viewed on the KOAA News5 appor here:
If you're trying to find out if and when your kids are going to school today, News5 has a full list of school closings and delays.
For those making the trek up to Denver to fly out of DIA, or staying closer to home and flying out of COS, you can check out this list of closings and delays. DIA Delays / FlyCOS Delays
Snow Totals
Accident Alert Status
The cities of Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Fountain are officially on accident alert status. Please drive carefully and slowly, and if you are involved in an accident with no injuries and you don't suspect that drugs or alcohol were involved, please exchange information with the other driver and report the crash online at the Colorado State Patrol websitewithin 72 hours instead of calling an emergency line to keep them clear so first responders can help people injured or in danger.
Traffic Updates
5:30 p.m. - Evening crews will remain on full call out and address primary and secondary roadways. Morning crews will report at midnight and remain on full call out. Tough travel conditions will persist through tomorrow morning’s commute with icy/snow-packed roads likely.
1:00 PM - The blockage on the right lane of I-25 between exit 135 and exit 132 has been cleared.
12:45 PM - A vehicle has hit an electric box near the intersection of Dublin and Rangewood. Blockage is unknown a this time but traffic signals are out, treat the intersections as a 4 way stop sign.
12:35 PM - The right lane of I25 Southbound is closed down due to a stalled car, expect delays between exit 135 and exit 132.
7:50 AM - The semi-truck suck near Monument Hill has been cleared out and it's now on its way.
7:30 AM - The semi-truck stuck on Fountain and Academy has been removed.
7:15 AM - A second semi-truck is stuck, this time on westbound Fountain east of Academy. It's blocking the right lane.
6:55 AM - A semi-truck is stuck on northbound I-25 near Monument Hill and is blocking traffic in the right lane.
6:50 AM - A crash on westbound Fountain and Jet Wing is blocking traffic according to CSPD.
LIVE UPDATES
Wednesday
9:00 PM - The Spring Rescue Mission has beds available and will not turn anyone away. Anyone seeking warmth and shelter is encouraged to go to the shelter at 5 W. Las Vegas Street.
2:55 PM - Light snow showers and snow flurries continue this afternoon over parts of Southern Colorado.
A broad swath of light snow remains in place this afternoon. Additional accumulations of less than 1" will still be possible in some areas before the snow clears out this evening. #cowx pic.twitter.com/3C7jmBDkNq
— Alan Rose (@AlanRoseWX) February 2, 2022
12:30 PM - The city of Colorado Springs is reminding residents that "snow shoveling isn't just the law, it's also the mark of a good neighbor," and that it is your responsibility to clear all sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of an ice or snow event.
`12:15 PM - The National Weather Service has downgraded their Winter Storm Warning to a Winter Weather Advisory, in effect until 11:59 PM this evening. The City of Colorado Springs is still advising people to be aware of snow packed and slick conditions, telling residents to remember, "ice and snow, take it slow."
12:00 PM - Sledders are having a ball in Cottonwood Creek Park, my request to take of work to join them was refused.
Everyone is having a blast sledding at Cottonwood Creek Park in Colorado Springs. #cowx @KOAA pic.twitter.com/x74fKTXfUt
— Alex O'Brien (@WXAlexOBrien) February 2, 2022
11:30 AM - A live look courtesy of our traffic cams around southern Colorado.
10:15 AM - A significant number of vaccine clinics and testing sites for COVID-19 are closed down or delayed today.
9:45 AM - Sledding has kicked off in Colorado Springs!
9:15 AM - The cold is here to stay for the next few days, and with utility prices high, it's good to keep in mind some ways to keep energy costs down during the cold weather.
8:55 AM - Flatiron Fill has not seen his shadow this morning either, he's saying spring is coming in 6 weeks, if it was warm enough, Punxsutawney Phil would be sweating.
8:45 AM - The official Corgi measuring stick is out, and the current snow total in Colorado Springs is at half a Corgi.
The snow in Colorado Springs is approximately half a corgi deep #Pippa #cowx @NWSPueblo pic.twitter.com/IGwU8zI6Fz
— Sam Schreier (@SamASchreier) February 2, 2022
8:15 AM - Fort Carson is only open today for mission essential activities, contact your first line supervisor for individual reporting requirements.
8:00 AM - It's finally good sledding weather in Colorado Springs! Here are some of the best spots around the city if you want to break out the sled, or if you're old school, the top of your trash can.
7:45 AM - Pastor Paul Montoya at Martin Luther King Church in Pueblo is taking advantage of the mayor's temporary housing and shelter declaration to open his church overnight for people in need of a warm place today. For the full story, be sure to tune in to News5 at 6PM.
7:25 AM - The administrative offices for the Tri Lakes Fire Department wll be CLOSED today - Their crews will still be on the roads, so please watch out for them while they're responding to emergencies!
7:15 AM - We've got the first on-air snow angel today, our very own Alex O'Brien demonstrating the proper form and technique. Kids, take notes.
YOU GO @WXAlexOBrien !! #Snowangel @KOAA #staywarm pic.twitter.com/V6rDIjiA5V
— Ira Cronin (@iracronin) February 2, 2022
6:50 AM - The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department will be CLOSED today, if you have an inspection request scheduled for today it will automatically roll over to Thursday. However, the Technical Committee Meeting will still take place virtually at 9 AM.
6:45 AM - The roads are still snowy and slick this morning AFTER they've been plowed, just a friendly reminder from the News5 team to stay safe and go slow if you need to drive this morning.
6:40 AM - A viewer from Cuchara is telling us they got 14 inches of snow out there, and the picture seems to show that he's right! Thank you Ron Jameson for sharing the photo with us!
6:30 AM - Manitou Springs government offices will be CLOSED for the day. Pueblo Combined Court and Probation will be OPEN, but 2 hours late. The Pueblo Judicial Building on Elizabeth Street will be open at 10 AM.
6:15 AM - We've got updated snow totals from around the region! Cheyenne Mountain is leading the way with 22 inches, followed by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with 14, Air Force Academy with 12, Rye with 11, Colorado Springs with 4-8, Woodland Park with 5, Pueblo West with 2.1, and Pueblo Airport with close to an inch.
6:10 AM - The city of Pueblo is CLOSED today, but essential and emergency personnel are still required to report. If you have a Municipal Court date scheduled today, you can call the court to reschedule your appearance.
6:05 AM - El Paso County offices and agencies will be CLOSED today as well, and personnel with the equipment to work remotely are advised to do so.
6:00 AM - Pueblo County government buildings will be CLOSED today, and government staff will be working remote - if you do need to contact the county staff will still be available via phone or email. If you had an in-person appointment, the county will be contacting you to set up a virtual appointment or to reschedule.
5:50 AM - It is going to be COLD tonight, with temperatures dropping into the negatives for most of Southern Colorado,-4 in Pueblo, -6 in Colorado Springs, -10 in Monument and Woodland Park, and as cold as -14 in Westcliffe. Residents in La Junta can count themselves lucky as they'll have a balmy 0 degrees to look forward to overnight.
5:45 AM - Well, if you're already tired of the snow, you might be out of luck. The groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has spoken, and we've got six more weeks of winter. But if you don't think Punxsutawney Phil is legitimate, there's an upstart groundhog, Staten Island Chuck, who disagrees with his prediction. Regardless, it's certainly winter today.
5:40 AM - City of Colorado Springs Facilities will be CLOSED today, but emergency responders and those deemed as essential personnel are required to report to work on time.
5:35 AM - The Air Force Academy might be called the Snow Force Academy today, after they received a foot of snow last night.
5:30 AM - Roads are slick in Pueblo, if you're driving this morning be careful and make sure you keep an eye out for Colorado Department of Transportation workers and snow plows, they're working to make sure that you CAN drive on the roads!
5:25 AM - Your dog might love the snow, but temperatures as cold as today's could put them in danger if they're outside for too long. Remember to bring them in!
5:15 AM - Trying to climb up Cheyenne Mountain today? You better bring a snowmobile. There are reports of 22 inches of snow at the top of the mountain.
A winter storm moved into Colorado yesterday and has since dumped heavy snow from Denver south through Colorado Springs, Teller County, and south into the Wet Mountains and Sangre De Cristos. Steady light to moderate snow is expected to fall through the afternoon and early evening with dry skies generally after 8 to 10 pm for most of the region. Travel is not advised today as nearly every road in the region is snow-covered and slick.
Temperatures will remain dangerously cold over the next 24 hours. Daytime highs across the I-25 corridor and plains will stay in the mid to low teens through the afternoon with colder temperatures up in the mountains. Overnight lows will fall widespread into the low single digits and negatives.
If you still haven't winterized your vehicle, late is better than never. Check out News5's guide on how to do it.If you are driving, here are some tips on how to improve your car's heating to keep you warm.
Are you experiencing a power outage? Here are some tips from Black Hills Energy about how to be safe if you're having issues with natural gas or electrical safety.
Electric Safety
In an event that you experience an unexpected outage in your home or business, please follow these guidelines for staying safe:
- If your power goes out, see if your neighbors have power. If they do, check your home for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breaker.
- If your neighbors don't have power or if you can't locate the problem, report the outage at www.blackhillsenergy.com/outages [blackhillsenergy.com].
- If you see damaged outdoor electric power equipment, please contact us at 1-800-890-5554.
- Do not try to remove any debris if it is on a powerline or outdoor electrical equipment.
- If you are outdoors, never touch or attempt to pick up a fallen powerline. Assume any downed power line is energized.
- During an outage, unplug sensitive computer and electronic equipment or protect them with a high-quality surge protector.
Natural Gas Safety
Snow and ice buildup on your natural gas meter can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to your heating equipment and other appliances. Please follow these guidelines for staying safe:
- Gently clear snow away by hand or with a broom. Do not use a shovel, ice pick or other sharp tools, damage could result and make the situation worse.
- Keep snow blowers and shovels away from gas meters and other above-ground equipment.
- Carefully clear snow away from the outdoor vent on high-efficiency furnaces. The furnace won’t run safely and efficiently if the vent is blocked.
- Safely remove ice buildup from overhead eaves that could fall and damage gas meters below.
- Point out the meter and any other above-ground utility structures to anyone you hire for snow removal.
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