Updated at 4:52 p.m.: 3 to 7 inches of snow and 60 mph winds are expected across El Paso tonight, according to a tweet from NWS Pueblo. A Winter Weather Advisory has also been issued for Teller County.
Damaging winds and blizzard conditions will spread across portions of El Paso county late tonight through Tue. Strong north winds will also impact much of the plains. Monitor forecasts at and road conditions at .
— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo)
Updated at 4:31 p.m.: “Blizzard conditions will develop over much of northeast Colorado tonight, mainly east of Sterling, Brush, Byers, & Castle Rock,” NWS Boulder tweeted. “It will become windy with areas of blowing dust/drifting snow where there’s not much new snow.”
NWS shared a timetable for tonight’s inclement weather:
Here's a look at the timing. Worst conditions late tonight through Tuesday evening for the northeast corner. Areas east/southeast of Denver worst late tonight and possibly again Tuesday evening.
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)
Updated at 2:27 p.m.: Road conditions are “rapidly deteriorating” in eastern Colorado along I-70, Colorado State Patrol Limon tweeted. ” Travel will be very dangerous and is highly discouraged!”
A blizzard warning is now in effect in eastern Colorado on I-70. Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating and conditions will continue to worsen throughout today and tomorrow. Travel will be very dangerous and is highly discouraged! ~S87
— CSP Limon (@CSP_Limon)
Previous reporting:
Travelers thinking of driving through eastern Colorado on Christmas night may want to reevaluate their plans, the National Weather Service says.
Blizzard conditions are expected on the Eastern Plains from Monday night through Wednesday, with strong, widespread winds, said in a tweet.
“We recommend avoiding non-emergency/non-essential travel,” forecasters wrote.
⚠️ Heads up! ⚠️
Travel plans in the plains tonight through Wednesday? You may want to reconsider. Blizzard conditions will develop in the eastern plains, and strong winds will be widespread for most areas. We recommend avoiding non-emergency/non-essential travel. (1/3)
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder)
The blizzard warning includes Sedwick, Phillips, Washington, northeast Elbert and north Lincoln counties from 11 p.m. through 5 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasters expect the worst conditions on Interstate 70 east of Byers/Deer Trail, as well as Interstate 76 east of Fort Morgan.
Winds could reach 55 to 60 miles per hour in some stretches of the Eastern Plains, NWS said, while other areas could see 44 to 55 mph gusts.
NWS also put out a winter storm watch for the Palmer Divide from 2 a.m. Tuesday through 12 a.m. Wednesday.
