The weather to the west of Denver argued for spending this weekend in the city as the mountains hunkered down for a major blizzard today.
Highways are likely be “extremely dangerous,” with weather agencies warning travelers to carry survival gear. Nearly 2 feet of new snow is expected by this evening, atop feet of accumulation from a string of storms the past month.
“We have a cold front moving through that’s going to dump a lot of snow on top of all the snow we’ve already gotten,” said Bryon Lawrence, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction. Some areas are looking at record December snowfall, he said.
Blizzard warnings were in effect until noon today in Telluride, according to the National Weather Service.
At Clark’s Market in the tourist-packed town, people were of two minds about the coming storm, said Ajax Davis, a cashier.
“The people who get to ski tomorrow are really looking forward to it,” he said. “The people who have to go to work, who have to drive in it or who have to shovel it, aren’t.
“I’m off Friday, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Local hotels were packed, he said. “This is our busiest time of year.”
Wind gusts over mountain passes were expected to reach 80 mph with white-out conditions overnight, leaving roads impassable by this morning, according to the National Weather Service.
“Consider delaying travel unless necessary,” the weather service advised. “If travel into the mountains is necessary, carry a winter storm survival kit” with blankets, high-calorie nonperishable food and a shovel.
High avalanche-risk warnings are in effect until noon today and could be extended for the backcountry around Leadville, Salida, Lake City, Creede, Salida, Telluride, Ouray, Grand Mesa and the southern San Juan range, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Just a dusting in Denver
Denver could get a dusting of snow with a 30 percent chance of a half-inch or less today. The high in the metro region is expected to be 34 today, but could reach the 40s on Saturday and the high 50s Sunday.
Chain laws were in effect Thursday night for nearly all state and federal highways over mountain passes.
South-facing slopes above 9,000 feet could rack up 4 feet of new snow, with drifts up to 8 feet deep, forecasters warned.
High wind also is a concern in southern Colorado this weekend, with gusts tonight that will drive the wind chill as low as minus 5.
Through 11 a.m. today, the Interstate 25 corridor between Colorado Springs and Walsenburg could see hurricane-strength gusts, capable of toppling tall vehicles and trailers, according to the National Weather Service.
“These winds can cause lightweight objects to become dangerous airborne projectiles,” the weather service warned.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
