BLOG: Snow continues in the plains, mountain travel remains treacherous

Snow started falling across southern Colorado Thursday night, covering most roadways in a few inches of snow. News5 and the First Alert 5 Weather Team has you covered on-air, online and on social media for all the information you need on storm conditions, road conditions, any closures and delays, and what you need to know before you head out the door.

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1:15 pm.

Due to heavy snow and dangerous travel conditions, the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is now closed to all visitors.

Out to the west, Colorado State Patrol has closed Westbound I-70 at Frisco due to an avalanche between Copper Mountain and Frisco. State Patrol reports the small slide is impacting westbound lanes and will soon be cleared.

12:35 p.m.

Meanwhile in Florissant, the dogs are having a field day in the snow. Share your photos and videos by tagging us on any social media platform using @KOAA or using mypics@koaa.com.

12:10 p.m.

Under a persistent heavy band of snow, El Paso county has been upgraded to a WINTER STORM WARNING until 7 pm.

10:45 a.m.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is closing westbound I-70 from Golden to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Current weather conditions are less than ideal and the department is suggesting drivers to avoid alternate routes.

10:15 a.m.

Loveland Ski Area announced it will not be opening today due to high winds.

10:10 a.m.

A crash on westbound Platte Avenue and Wooten Road continues to block the left lane on westbound Platte and left turn lane of eastbound Platte to northbound Wooten Road.

9:50 a.m.

Ski areas like Steamboat, Copper, and Arapahoe Basin are experiencing lift closures and opening delays due to high winds. Loveland Ski area is under an indefinite hold as of 9:06 am.

9:15 a.m.

Here is a radar look at the snow situation across El Paso County.

8:50 a.m.

The Colorado Department of Transportation still has portions of I-70 closed. These are the conditions near the Eisenhower Tunnel.

8:24 a.m.

Academy District 20 has announced it will be closed today due to the weather.

7:57 a.m.

The following school districts have made the call to close for the day:
Big Sandy
Calhan RJ-1
Cheyenne Mountain D-12
Colorado Springs Christian Schools
Elizabeth School District
James Irwin Charter Schools
Lewis-Palmer D-38
Manitou D-14
Miami-Yoder Dist 60 JT
Monument Academy Charter
Pikes Peak Expeditionary Learning
Pueblo D-70
St. John Neumann Catholic School
St. Paul Catholic School
The Vanguard School
Widefield D3
Woodland Park Dist RE-2

7:30 a.m.

Heavy snowfall is moving back into the region. If you do not have to travel, stay home. This second band of snow in and around El Paso County will have the potential to drop another 2 to 5 inches of snow through the early afternoon.

7:10 a.m.

The City of Colorado Springs says plows are on full call out across the city. In Colorado Springs, snow plows focus on two routes: primary and secondary. Primary routes are the ones that see more traffic flow and these roads have to be cleared first. Some examples of primary routes include Woodmen Road, Academy Boulevard and Platte Avenue. City crews do not work on I-25, Highway 24 or Powers Boulevard because it is treated by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

7:06 a.m.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is conducting avalanche control along I-70.

6:56 a.m.

A disabled vehicle is facing the wrong direction on northbound I-25 on Monument Hill blocking the right lane. Update: vehicle has been moved out of traffic.

6:51 a.m.

I-25 through the Gap is looking pretty clear and drivers have a clear view of the road as well as lanes. This is near the Larkspur exit on northbound I-25.

6:45 a.m.

The commute to Denver is slow. Here are the drive times as of right now:

6:30 a.m.

The second band of snow is developing:

6:15 a.m.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has reopened I-70 after conducting avalanche mitigation overnight. The weather and road conditions on the interstate are not the favorable so if you can, avoid that stretch during this time.

6:10 a.m.

Here are some major roads that are still slick this morning:

• Highway 50 from Cañon City through Pueblo
• Most of I-25 especially through the Gap
• Highway 24 from Woodland Park out to Falcon

6 a.m.

Lewis-Palmer D-38 and Pueblo D-70 are closed for today while many other schools are running on 2-hour delays. For our full list, click here.

5:40 a.m.

Here's a look at snow totals so far:

5:20 a.m.

As snow continues to fall in Pueblo, snow plows are working on Highway 50.

5:10 a.m.

Meteorologist Sam Schreier says snow bands from Cañon City through Pueblo over the next couple of hours. A reminder that the Pueblo Police Department is on Accident Alert, so be extra cautious while driving. There is another band of snow that will show up after 7 a.m. in the Pikes Peak Region.

4:55 a.m.

Expect slower commutes this morning with slicker road conditions and additional snow getting here during the morning hours. Right now, if you're headed to Denver this morning it is about 69 minutes of travel time on I-25.

4:50 a.m.

On top of the 2 to 6 inches we have seen in southern Colorado, there is another band of snow headed our way that will begin later this morning.

4:40 a.m.

Roads in Colorado Springs are a bit slushy with lane markers being difficult to see. Make sure you're giving yourself enough time to head out this morning. News5's Jessica Barreto is out on the roads bringing you the latest conditions on News5 Today.

4:35 a.m.

School delays are rolling in this morning and we are continuously updating our online list. For the complete list, click here.

4:30 a.m.

The Colorado Springs Police Department, the Fountain Police Department and the Pueblo Police Department are on Accident Alert status. If you are involved in an accident with no injuries and drugs or alcohol are not suspected factors in the crash, you are asked to exchange information and report the accident online. This goes into effect when there are a high number of accidents and not enough resources to go around, or when there’s a large incident and officers are unavailable.

4:26 a.m.

Downtown Pueblo is still seeing some snowfall with most of the road being covered. Be cautious if you have to head out this morning.

2:30 a.m.

Meteorologist Sam Schreier captured the overnight conditions local Colorado Springs side streets on his way to work.

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See a complete school closing and delay list by clicking here: School Closings & Delays

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