Snow propelled by high winds will cause headaches for commuters this morning in Denver and along the Front Range, the National Weather Service advised early this morning.
The forecasters said that a strong cold front moved into northeast Colorado last night and that a strong upslope wind has strengthened behind the front.
The front, combined with an upper-level disturbance that has stalled out over northern Colorado, is causing the snow to spread and intensify, the weather service said.
Rob Krohn, a meterologist for the National Weather Service, said that as of 5:30 a.m., his office is predicting three-to-five inches of snow in Denver and the metro area with higher amounts in the south metro area and lighter amounts to the north.
“It’s going to be a crappy commute,” said Krohn.
He said that before the snow began to fall in the metro area, there was a brief period of frozen drizzle and ice pellets.
He said the snow may let up in Denver by lunch time.
Highs today in the area, said Krohn, will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s.
At 3 a.m., wind-blown moderate snowfall was whipping through the western suburbs of Lakewood, Golden and Arvada. Snow was lighter in Denver.
Lakewood had a fleet of snowplows out, and snowplows were also evident along 6th Avenue and in Denver.
Driving conditions were treacherous.
As of 4:30 a.m. this morning, Interstate 70 west from Denver was icy and snowpacked from Golden to Vail. Eastbound I-70 to Limon was wet with light snow.
I-25 was wet and slushy between Denver and Fort Collins and icy and snowpacked between Denver and Colorado Springs.
South of Colorado Springs, I-25 is dry.
Other key commuting routes, such as Colorado 93 between Boulder and Golden; C-470 and E-470 and 6th Avenue are covered with snow and icy in spots.
The Weather Service said that with the temperatures turning much colder, roads will become snow and ice covered. It advised motorists to allow plenty of time because of a slow morning commute.
The weather service early this morning issued a snow and blowing snow advisory for Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Boulder, Aurora, Brighton, Highlands Ranch, Denver International Airport, Castle Rock, Byers, Littleton, Parker, Bennett, Byers and Deer Trail until early afternoon.
“Snow will continue this morning and may be heavy at times through the morning commute,” said forecasters. “Total accumulations of three to six inches can be expected before the snow diminishes early this afternoon.”
It said that north winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 mph east of Interstate 25 will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow.
A snow and blowing snow advisory means that visibilities will be limited due to a combination of falling and blowing snow.
The high today in Denver is expected to be 26.
Elsewhere, a winter storm warning has been issued for portions of southwest and south-central Colorado, covering the LaGarita and eastern San Juan mountains and includes Wolf Creek pass, Cumbres Pass, South Fork and Creede.
The National Weather Service said periods of drifting and blowing heavy snow will continue through this evening with snow totals between eight and 22 inches.
Forecasters say that there will be widespread snow across portions of the southerly portions of Interstate 25 corridor. Lighter amounts will fall on the southeast plains.
In southwestern Colorado, U.S. 550 over Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes are all icy and snowpacked but open. In north-central Colorado, U.S. 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass is snowy and slushy and similar conditions exist in the Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig areas.
The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that U.S. 40 is closed between Maybell and the Utah state line due to adverse conditions – specifically blowing and drifting snow and icy and snowpacked conditions. Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
