A across the Front Range is creating a sloppy drive with slick roadways, white-out conditions and crashes.
The is centered on the Palmer Divide, from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, where officials closed Interstate 25 because the driving conditions were so treacherous.
In all, nearly 400 miles of roads were closed, , before conditions began to improve some at about 8 a.m.
The storm is expected to clear out on Friday afternoon.
During the height of the storm, wind gusts near Colorado Springs were recorded at 75 mph as snow fell at a rate of one inch an hour, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
“If you are headed south towards Colorado Springs or east to Limon, stay home if you can or use snow tires and chains,” CDOT warned motorists.
Both directions of Interstate 25 were closed at about 4:30 a.m. from Plum Creek Parkway to Academy Drive in Colorado Springs where visibility was only about 50 feet early Friday.
The southbound lanes of the route were reopened about 8:15 a.m. after white-out conditions cleared some. The northbound lanes remained were reopened at about 8:35 a.m.
Road conditions between Castle Rock and Monument on I-25 remained wet, slushy and icy in areas as of 8:30 a.m., CDOT says. Motorists traveling in the area are being asked to take it slow.
The "icy falcon" (snow plow and police escort) just passed SB meaning SB I-25 is open! 🎉
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
Interstate 70 was closed in both directions between Airpark Road and Limon because of the weather. The stretch closed at the request of the Colorado State Patrol and was reopened about noon.
CDOT did not have an estimated time of when the route will reopen.
Closures were also reported on Colorado 86 from Kiowa to Limon, Colorado 83 from Fanktown to Colorado Springs, U.S. 24 from Colorado Springs to Limon and Colorado 94 from Colorado Springs to U.S. 287.
Even in Denver, where it mostly just rained, officials say there are areas where standing water — coupled with strong winds — is making travel difficult.
Hampden Avenue was shut down in both directions at Ogden Street between Broadway and University Avenue because of downed power lines.
CDOT grader recovering a semi with no chains on SB I-25 at Monument
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
“Denver metro area roads are just looking wet,” CDOT said on Twitter.
Chain laws were in effect in the mountains, where heavy snowfall is being reported. There were also some intermittent I-70 closures in the high country.
For the most up to date road closures, or .
