While snowfall varied across the state following Wednesday's storm, many roads and highways began to close down Wednesday afternoon to evening as the storm moved across the plains causing extremely dangerous driving conditions.
I-70 shut down Wednesday from the Denver Airport all the way to the Kansas border, as whiteout conditions caused multiple accidents according to Colorado State Patrol.
I 70 is still shut down for safety reasons. Unknown timeframe when it will reopen. Troopers on scene believe it will take until morning to clear crash. Alternate routes not encouraged in the area because they will still be dangerous due to high winds and slick roads. pic.twitter.com/Z5ZrNv3lvk
— Colorado State Patrol (@CSP_News) January 18, 2023
10:00 PM Update:
The following highways are closed due to adverse conditions or crashes:
- I-70 both directions from Denver to Kansas
- I-76 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US 6 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US-36 both directions from Last Chance (CO 71) to Kansas
- US 40/US 287 both directions from Limon to Kansas
- US 385 both directions from Julesburg to Nebraska
- CO 11 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- CO 14 both directions from Ault to Sterling
- CO 23 both directions from US-385 to Nebraska
- CO 52 both directions from CO 14 to Fort Morgan
- CO 55 both direction from CO 138 to mile post 5.5
- CO 59 both directions from I-76 to Yuma
- CO 61 both directions from Otis to Sterling
- CO 71 both directions from Last Chance to Brush
- CO 86 both directions from Elizabeth to I-70
- CO 113 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- US 138 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
Mountains and Southwest Colorado Closures
- US 550 Silverton to Ouray (Red Mountain pass)
- CO 139 Douglas Pass (MP 30-39)
8:00 PM Update:
While Southern Colorado is seeing the storm push East the plains are still experiencing some whiteout conditions and CDOT has not lifted many of the highway closures and Interstate closures across the state. All of the affected roads, highways, and interstates are below.
The following highways are closed due to adverse conditions or crashes:
- I-70 both directions from Denver to Kansas
- I-76 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US 6 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US-36 both directions from Last Chance (CO 71) to Kansas
- US 40/US 287 both directions from Limon to Kansas
- US 385 both directions from Julesburg to Nebraska
- CO 11 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- CO 14 both directions from Ault to Sterling
- CO 23 both directions from US-385 to Nebraska
- CO 52 both directions from CO 14 to Fort Morgan
- CO 55 both direction from CO 138 to mile post 5.5
- CO 59 both directions from I-76 to Yuma
- CO 71 both directions from Last Chance to Brush
- CO 86 both directions from Elizabeth to I-70
- CO 113 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- US 138 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
Mountains and Southwest Colorado Closures
- US 550 Silverton to Ouray (Red Mountain pass)
- CO 139 Douglas Pass (MP 30-39)
5:45 PM Update:
Snowflakes are still flying this evening, and along with 30-45 mph wind gusts over the eastern Plains, the weather has absolutely crippled parts of Colorado. As expected, the worst impacts have been occurring east of I-25. Winter Storm Warnings will not be allowed to expire over the northeastern Plains until 11 pm in some areas.
With the blizzard-like conditions, the big story has been the amount of road closures within the state. According to CDOT, here's the most current listing:
- I-70 both directions from Denver to Kansas
- I-76 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US-36 both directions from Last Chance (CO 71) to Kansas
- US 385 both directions from Julesburg to Nebraska
- US 40/US 287 both directions from Limon to Kansas
- US 138 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- US 24 both directions from Colorado Springs to I-70
- US 6 both directions from Sterling to Nebraska
- CO 113 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- CO 59 both directions from I-76 to Yuma
- CO 55 both direction from CO 138 to mile post 5.5
- CO 52 both directions from CO 14 to Fort Morgan
- CO 71 both directions from Last Chance to Brush
- CO 23 both directions from US-385 to Nebraska
- CO 14 both directions from Ault to Sterling
- CO 11 both directions from CO 138 to Nebraska
- CO 86 both directions from Elizabeth to I-70
- US 550 Silverton to Ouray (Red Mountain pass)
- CO 65 Grand Mesa
- CO 139 Douglas Pass (MP 30-39)
- US 50 Monarch Pass
CDOT is warning drivers NOT to use county or secondary roadways to bypass highway closures. The main message is to stay home and wait out the storm until weather conditions improve.
8 AM Update:
The winds are getting stronger this morning with widespread 30 to 50 mph gusts expected through the early afternoon. Little to no additional snow is forecast across the Pikes Peak Region or Pueblo, most of it will stay north of the Palmer Divide.
Updated Snow Totals:
Snow totals were generally much heavier up around the Denver metro. Totals ranged from 3 to 6 inches through Denver with closer to 8 inches at DIA.
Road temperatures will rise above freezing in southern Colorado today, allowing for some snow melt even with overcast skies.
My drive into work from early this morning. I live in the center of town near UCCS, maybe an inch of snow on the ground? Was a little slick from being unpaved but not too bad overall #cowx pic.twitter.com/l2ShkzPoZi
— Sam Schreier (@SamASchreier) January 18, 2023
Little if any snow accumulation is expected south of Denver today, and Denver itself could only see another couple of inches through the afternoon.
If we do see any light snow in the region, it'll hug northern El Paso and Teller counties.
Resources:
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