Metro area roads have thawed and nearly dried under blue skies and bright sunshine today.
After a treacherous commute on icy roads early this morning, the sun has reduced the slippery ice to puddles and windshield spray and, in some spots, dry roadbeds. Temperatures have climbed into the 40s, where they will remain through the week.
Gusty winds in the central mountains are still causing problems for drivers, especially commercial truckers, who face chain restrictions on both approaches to the Eisenhower Tunnel, Vail Pass, eastbound over Rabbit Ears Pass and eastbound on U.S. 285 through Fairplay in South Park.
A number of crashes this morning, particularly on I-25 in the Tech Center and near the Air Force Academy, have been cleaned up. Traffic is flowing relatively smoothly on I-70 from Denver out to Kansas and on I-25 from Wyoming to New Mexico.
Wednesday was a far different story on area roads. A massive pileup on Interstate 25 near Larkspur injured 14 people and closed northbound lanes for almost four hours.
About 40 cars and trucks collided in two separate accidents within 100 yards of each other on I-25, said Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Ron Watkins.
