TRAVEL ALERT: SW Colorado Drivers May Experience Slick Driving Conditions in the High Country
CDOT CoTrip.org Camera: The winter storm can be seen moving in over the San Juan Mountains at about noon today.
The National Weather Service predicts 4 -8 inches of snow in the high country.
SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, SW COLORADO – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has snow plows ready to clear southwest Colorado high mountain roads and passes this afternoon and tonight. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory indicating that a storm system is moving into the San Juan Mountains beginning at 3:00 p.m. today and continuing into Thursday morning.
According to the NWS Grand Junction office, there is a potential for four to eight inches of snow at an elevation of above 10,000 feet. The winter advisory includes all southwest Colorado passes:
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CO 145 Lizard head Pass
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US 550 Red Mountain, Molas, Coal Bank Passes
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US 160 Wolf Creek Pass
“We’re ready!” said Vance Kelso, CDOT maintenance supervisor for the US 550 mountain corridor. “Our equipment operators have started on shifts around the clock and are ready to get the plows on the road.”
Kelso also reminded the public, “These early storms can catch travelers by surprise. We really want to caution drivers to be aware of the road surface. The wet snow can cause very slick driving conditions.”
Motorists traveling into the high mountains should be prepared for snowy driving conditions and are advised to remain alert for heavy equipment and snowplows on the roadway.
STAY INFORMED: To sign up to receive project information and/or lane closure updates on state highways in the area of your choice, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/
