Winter storm brings some much needed moisture to the region

February 27, 2014 - Southwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 5 - “Widespread snow returns to Colorado this afternoon,” states the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).

CAIC forecasters are telling

CDOT maintenance crews to “stay tuned” as snow accumulations could raise the avalanche hazard

this weekend. In that case, avalanche control work could be underway in the mornings; it’s always

advisable that motorists check www.cotrip.org before heading out.

Snow is already falling in the southern and central mountains and will head north. CAIC

forecasters expect heavy snow to fall overnight tonight and ease off Friday. Saturday will bring

significant snow accumulations across much of the state.

“Areas favored by southwest flow like the San Juan Mountains and West Elk Mountains could

see one to two feet by Saturday morning, with more snow Saturday night,” the CAIC reports.

Mountain snow could continue well into next week.

“Even with only minor snow accumulations expected in the lower elevations, drivers need

to be prepared for high winds, particularly in the San Luis Valley,” said Dave Vialpando, CDOT’s

Deputy Maintenance Superintendent in Alamosa. “Expect icy spots because of this wind, especially

on bridges; plan ahead, slow down and arrive safely.”

Here’s a snapshot of how things are looking on CDOT’s southern passes:

• US 160 Wolf Creek Pass: snowing and slushy; expect ice this evening and up to 18 inches by

Friday night

• US 160 La Veta Pass: Currently dry with high winds

• SH 17 Cumbres/La Manga passes: Currently dry; early reports show up to 4 inches tonight

and more expected late Friday

• US 50 Monarch Pass: snowing and some snowpack, up to 12 inches by Friday night

• US 550 Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes: snowing, snowpacked and icy in spots,

with up 18 inches by Friday night

• SH 145 Lizard Head Pass: snowing and some snowpack accumulating with up to 13 inches by

Friday night

To receive real-time updates about road conditions in your area, visit

www.coloradodot.info and click on the green cell phone icon in the upper right hand corner of the

page. Information about weekly lane closures will be available at

www.coloradodot.info/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Live road conditions are available at

www.cotrip.org, by downloading the CDOT Mobile app or by calling 511 from anywhere in the

state. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” our Facebook

page at www.facebook.com/coloradodot.