Winter storm warnings are in effect for the southeastern tier of Colorado. The main event will move in this afternoon, with the potential for heavy snow in the mountains, I-25 corridor, and eastern plains through the evening and into Thursday morning.
In the eastern plains, the threats will be variable with warmer air bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories went into effect at 11 am.
6:00 PM Update
Road conditions are deteriorating this evening with continued snow and cooling road temperatures. Expect icy or snow-covered roads as you head out.
Snow showers continue regionwide overnight. We will see a brief break in the heavy snow between about midnight to 3 am before another surge of heavier snowfall moves in early Thursday morning. Snow should come to an end for the mountains and I-25 corridor late Thursday morning. Showers will linger east of I-25 until about mid-day Thursday.
As of 3:30 p.m. the Colorado Springs Police Department has entered crash alert status. Click here to learn more.
MAJOR IMPACTS
- US 160 Eastbound is Closed from Trinidad to Colorado 389
#US160 westbound: Road closed due to safety concerns between CO 389 and I-25. https://t.co/PFTH4qJW4D
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) December 13, 2023
FORECAST OUTLOOK
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 34; Low: 24. A few flurries this morning will provide us with a taste of what's to come later today as heavier snow is expected to pick up after 3 pm. With snow continuing into the evening hours, tonight's drive home from work will be a messy one. After a small break later tonight, another round of snow moves back in tomorrow morning. Snow totals from 2-5".
Pueblo forecast: High: 36; Low: 24. Snow will begin to pick up by around 2-3 pm, with the potential for a snowy and icy evening commute increasing in Pueblo. Snow totals through Thursday morning look to be on the order of 3-6".
Canon City forecast: High: 37; Low: 26. Dry skies this morning will give way to a cold and snowy afternoon and evening over eastern Fremont County. A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect at 11 am, and will continue through Thursday morning. Snow totals from 2-4".
Woodland Park forecast: High: 33; Low: 17. With the southern track of today's storm, Teller County should be spared the worst of the snow compared to areas to our south. A few snow showers this morning will give way to a snowy and cold afternoon and evening. Snow totals from 2-4".
Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 30s; Low: 20s. A foggy and cold morning will give way to a snowy and cold afternoon and evening. Snow should start to pick up by around 3 pm on the Palmer Divide, with snow continuing into Thursday morning. Snow totals from 3-5".
Plains forecast: High: 30s; Low: 20s. Cold, with a wintry mess expected on the Plains of Southern Colorado for the next 24-48 hours. With a moisture rich plume interacting with an approaching area of low pressure, the southeastern Plains will be ground zero for some of the more significant impacts. This includes periods of rain, freezing rain and heavy snow. The highest snow totals will be over eastern Las Animas County, with 5-10" of snow possible.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 30s; Low: 20s. A few light snow showers this morning will be a precursor to the main event that moves in this afternoon. Snow should begin to pick up in intensity just after the lunch hour, with snow at times into Thursday morning. With heavy accumulations in our forecast, the Raton Pass could become impassable this evening, as well as Highway 160. Snow totals from 6-11".
Mountains forecast: High: 20s/30; Low: 10s/20s. The northern Sangres, Wet Mountains, Wet Mountain Valley, and San Luis Valley will be under Winter Weather Advisories starting at 11 am, with a Winter Storm Warning for the southern Sangres. Snow totals in the mountains valleys will range between 2-6", with as much as 6-12" for the mountains. It's possible that some peaks in the southern Sangres could see as much as 1-2 feet from this storm.
Extended outlook forecast:
Another burst of snow Thursday morning will keep our weather active during tomorrow morning's drive to work. Untreated and unplowed roadways will be snow-covered and possibly icy. By the lunch hour, the snow machine should shut off here in the Pikes Peak Region, with snow ending from west to east during the day. Temperatures on Thursday will be cold, with many areas barely warming above freezing.
Sunshine will return Friday, with a nice boost to our daytime highs. This will set the stage for a nice weekend ahead, with sunshine and 50s expected each afternoon on the Plains.
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 app for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV or AndroidTV.
Resources:
- Get your latest First Alert 5 Weather Forecast
- Find the current school closing and delay list
- Keep track of flight delays at Denver International Airport or the Colorado Springs Airport
- Watch KOAA News5 LIVE newscasts and updated content throughout the day in your browser, the News5 App, or your favorite streaming device.
- Download the free News5 App for your iOS or Android device to get the latest headlines and news across Colorado.
- Download the free First Alert 5 Weather App for your iOS or Android device to get the latest headlines and news across Colorado.
- You can find us on social media with KOAA on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
