Colorado’s second blizzard in less than a month was much weaker than expected, but it still caused some problems and major road closures in the northeastern part of the state.
We’ll post the latest information in a running blog below:
11:06 a.m. Thursday
CDOT has reopened all lanes of I-76 from Sterling to Denver, effectively marking the end major road closures in the state from Wednesday’s winter storm. I-76 is still closed from Sterling into Nebraska, but all major road closures around Denver or Colorado Springs are over.
6:51 a.m. Thursday
Travelers on I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver are seeing significant delays this morning with wintry conditions in the gap.
Other roads around the region are generally clear, but main streets and side streets around the Monument and Black Forest areas are a little slick.
There are several school districts that have delayed classes, and the Lewis-Palmer School District has canceled classes for the day. Click here to view the full list of delays and closures.
6:55 p.m.
The Colorado State Patrol has placed all federal and state roads and highways in Douglas County and western Arapahoe County on Accident Alert. Unless someone is injured, the roadway is blocked or alcohol/drugs are suspected, they won’t respond to crashes. You can file an accident report online by clicking here.
3:50 p.m.
CSPD says if you need a warm place to take shelter during the storm, here are the locations:
- Woodmen Valley Chapel, 290 E. Woodmen Rd.
- St. Peter’s Church in Monument, 55 Jefferson St.
- Patriot Learning in Falcon, 11990 Swingline Rd.
- Peyton Old MS in Peyton, 18320 Main St.
3:41 p.m.
The Colorado Springs Airport is now on snow alert until the storm has passed. Check with your airline before heading to the airports. Airlines have canceled 14 out of 52 flights in the city. More than 700 flights are canceled in and out of Denver International Airport.
Heavy wet snow in Rockrimmon area of Colorado Springs with swirling winds. #CoWx pic.twitter.com/Pm0urON8ml
— Benjamin Lloyd (@Ben_L_Lloyd) April 10, 2019
3:35 p.m.
There are currently 40 City of Colorado Springs plows on patrol keeping an eye out for any roads that need treatment. El Paso County personnel are out in 20 plows, with another 40 units on standby. As such, officials are repeatedly advising everyone to stay home to allow crews room to work, and to avoid a big call out by El Paso County Search and Rescue as experienced during the March blizzard event.
3:29 p.m.
El Paso County officials say conditions are deteriorating at Voyager and Interquest in northern Colorado Springs. Visibility is lower and snow is starting to accumulate on the roads.
Conditions have severely deteriorated on the north side of the county. This is a look at conditions near Interquest and Voyager. Visibility is low and snow is starting to accumulate. #AprilBlizzard pic.twitter.com/4GLj81A8Wt
— El Paso County PIO (@epcpio) April 10, 2019
2:12 p.m.
Governor Polis activated the Colorado National Guard to support potential rescue requests from state and local jurisdictions to save stranded motorists. Approximately 50 Colorado National Guard Soldiers are responding from multiple units along the Front Range.
1:13 p.m.
Mountain Metro Transit announced it will shut down all buses at 6:15 p.m.
1:04 p.m.
Numerous school districts, universities and other organizations have announced early releases or closures due to the storm. You can find a full list here: Weather closings and delays: Wednesday, April 10
1 p.m.
The City of Colorado Springs announced it is sending non-essential employees home at 2 p.m. All city offices, Sertich Ice Center and the Pioneers Museum will close at 2 p.m. as well.
12:49 p.m.
Colorado Springs police have put the city on accident alert status due to the blizzard, which is expected to hit later this afternoon.
If you’re involved in a minor crash that does not have injuries or drug/alcohol use, do not call 911 to report it. Instead, report the incident within 72 hours afterward to CSPD.
Currently, roads are either dry or wet in the city, but law enforcement agencies are proactively trying to keep people off the roads. During the last bomb cyclone storm, more than 1,200 drivers had to be rescued in Colorado Springs and in El Paso County.
12:34 p.m.
Video from Pueblo West High School shows a dust devil forming near the school. It did not hit the school but came very close. Meteorologist Sam Schreier says it was not a tornado, but it was a dust devil likely produced by strong outflow boundaries from nearby storms. There was no thunderstorm on radar that appeared over the Pueblo or Pueblo West areas.
12:15 p.m.
Multiple News5 viewers are reporting pea-sized hail with a thunderstorm on the southeast side of Colorado Springs near Peterson Air Force Base. The National Weather Service has not issued any severe thunderstorm warnings with any cells at this time.
12:07 p.m.
El Paso County government offices are closing at 2 p.m. ahead of the storm. This applies to non-mission essential personnel.
Noon
Denver International Airport is reporting that more than 700 flights are canceled in anticipation of the storm. Other flights into and out of Colorado Springs and Pueblo are also being impacted by this storm.
11:37 a.m.
CDOT has closed I-70 in Vail due to multiple crashes on the interstate. Heavy snow is falling in the high country and more closures of I-70 are expected.
8:59 a.m.
The Rockies have postponed today’s game against the Atlanta Braves to Monday, Aug. 26. Those who have tickets to Wednesday’s game can be used for the game on that date, or for a home Rockies game before Aug. 26.
There will be no cash refunds for tickets.
6 a.m.
CDOT is warning drivers that closures of I-25, I-70 and I-76 are possible with Wednesday’s storm.
CDOT said I-25 could be closed at Monument Hill or at another location north of Monument. Colorado State Patrol tweeted that Highway 83 and Highway 105 will also be impacted by the storm.
They’re encouraging drivers who have to commute between Colorado Springs and Denver to leave early today to avoid the worst of the storm.
QUICK LINKS:
Forecast: Blizzard to impact area with life-threatening conditions if stranded
