DENVER—Forecasters are warning of hazardous travel in Colorado’s mountains because of winter storms, and state transportation officials are recommending drivers pack winter survival kits.
A Pacific storm front could dump up to 14 inches in the north-central mountains by Friday evening. Driving will be dicey because strong winds, with gusts up to 50 mph, will cause drifting and blowing snow.
A powerful winter storm that moved into western Colorado on Christmas Day was expected to bring up to 3 feet of snow in parts of the western mountains.
Bad weather temporarily closed La Veta Pass on U.S. 160 in south-central Colorado and McClure Pass in Pitkin County.
Just a dusting of snow was forecast for the Denver metro area.
Silverton Mountain in southwest Colorado reported 40 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, but roads leading to the ski area were closed due to adverse conditions. The expert ski area was hoping to reopen Saturday.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center warned of high avalanche danger in south-central Colorado, including Aspen, Crested Butte, Telluride and Silverton.
Michaela Wixom, 27, of Flagstaff, Ariz., and her family arrived in Silverton on Tuesday night to spend the holidays there. “We want to leave tomorrow morning, so hopefully the roads will open up,” she said Friday.
The family was sledding and enjoying the snow at Kendall Mountain in town, even though they had to hike up because high winds kept the single lift closed.
“We’re just getting some extra exercise today,” Wixom said. “That’s why we love Silverton, because of all the snow.”
