As far as snow is concerned, this March has been all hype and no white.
But with forecasters calling for the month to roar out on the tail of a storm threatening to bury Denver in 11 to 19 inches of snow starting today, the Colorado Department of Transportation is ready to roll.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service office in Boulder issued a winter-storm warning effective until 6 a.m. Friday for a weather system on the Front Range.
Snow totals in the foothills and near the Palmer Divide could top 2 feet.
National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Benton said most people will wake to light flurries today, with snowfall intensifying throughout the day until it reaches as much as an inch an hour.
CDOT’s trucks were ready to go earlier this week, but the predicted storm — consistent with Colorado’s fickle weather patterns — never delivered.
CDOT stayed patient, and spokeswoman Mindy Crane said about 80 trucks were ready to keep metro highways clear for the latest storm.
Drivers need to do their part, however, she said
“This is likely going to be a very wet and heavy snowstorm,” she said. “We want motorists to remember their winter-driving habits.”
Snow is expected statewide, with near-blizzard conditions because of high winds in the central mountains and on the Eastern Plains. Travelers should check road conditions before they leave home and should plan to spend extra time on the road, Crane said.
Afternoon woes
The flakes will probably wreak the most havoc on the afternoon commute.
“I would anticipate people look out the window early afternoon, then decide they need to go home,” Benton said.
Winds gusting as high as 40 mph could make drifting snow a hazard as well, especially on the roads, where visibility is a major issue.
The storm should taper off early Friday.
Alan Martinez, a 14-year CDOT highway maintenance veteran in Golden, said he and his team focus on major traffic arteries during major storms. For him, that includes Interstate 70 and C-470.
Martinez said he will have five trucks all running at the same time in a wedge formation, which clears the roads quickly and keeps traffic safely behind them.
“We’re not trying to be a hindrance to (drivers),” he said. “We’re trying to get them to where they want to go safely.”
George Plaven: 303-954-1638 or gplaven@denverpost.com
March blizzards
Snow is no stranger to Denver in March. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration records, the up to 16 inches of snow that weather watchers expect to pile up starting today might be impressive, but hardly unprecedented:
31.8 inches
March 17-19, 2003: In one of the city’s worst blizzards, 2 to 4 feet of snow smothers the metro area, with the site of the former Stapleton Airport recording 31.8 inches. Other area totals include 40 inches in Aurora and 35 inches in southwest Denver. Totals in the foothills range from 3 feet to more than 7 feet. Denver Mayor Wellington Webb calls it “the storm of the century: a back-breaker, record-breaker and roof-breaker.”
18.7 inches
March 4-6, 1983: 18.7 inches falls at Stapleton Airport, while areas of south metro Denver get socked with 26 inches.
18.5 inches
March 20-22, 1944: A 36-hour storm brings 18.5 inches of heavy snow to downtown Denver and 12.2 inches at Denver Municipal Airport (later Stapleton Airport).
18 inches
March 31-April, 1891: Wet, heavy snow totals 18 inches in the city.
16.9 inches
March 20-21, 1952: A major snowstorm drops 16.9 inches on Stapleton Airport.
14.3 inches
March 24-26, 1959: 14.3 inches falls at Stapleton Airport as part of a major spring storm that slams northeastern Colorado.
13.8 inches
March 24, 1909: Rain turns to heavy snow, dumping 13.8 inches on Denver.
13.1 inches
March 25-26, 1899: A major storm drops 13.1 inches on downtown Denver.
13 inches
March 8-9, 1992: 13 inches falls on the city, while Stapleton Airport reports 12.4 inches as part of a system that rocks metro Denver.
11.6 inches
March 2-4, 1963: Heavy and wet snow falls over the metro area, with Stapleton Airport reporting 11.6 inches.
11.3 inches
March 28-30, 1949: A winter storm stiff-arms downtown Denver with 11.3 inches. Stapleton Airport records 10.4 inches.
11 inches:
March 17-18, 1944: 11 inches falls at Stapleton Airport; downtown Denver gets 8.5.
10.7 inches
March 17-18, 1961: A storm dumps 10.7 inches at Stapleton Airport.
Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Denver Post archives; compiled by Barry Osborne, The Denver Post
Fly change-fee free
Customers scheduled to fly Frontier Airlines today or Friday who bought their ticket on or before Tuesday can change their travel plans without an extra fee. This one-time freebie applies only to customers who have not yet begun travel.
For those who have begun their trips, change fees have been waived, although destination cities must remain the same. As of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the airline had canceled 25 flights.
United Airlines has instituted a snowstorm waiver plan “so customers can change travel plans, such as taking a flight before the storm hits or waiting at home for it to pass and then traveling” without paying typical fees, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.
Ann Schrader, The Denver Post
