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Blizzard to hit northern El Paso County today with life-threatening conditions if stranded

Posted at 5:43 AM, Apr 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-10 14:39:00-04

Today’s Forecast:
A blizzard is forecast to hit northern El Paso county later today with heavy snow and Winter Storm Warnings out west into Teller County. Today will start warm and windy, but a cold front that will begin to push into the city around and just after noon will send even more wind and dramatically colder temperatures into the area. Rain will quickly turn to snow, especially over Monument Hill with snow spreading to all of southern Colorado through the overnight hours.

The heaviest snow will fall over northern El Paso and Teller counties, but blowing snow overnight will impact all of southern Colorado. If you live along and north of Briargate, travel after 4 pm will be considered dangerous and life-threatening due to whiteout driving conditions and wind chills dropping into the single digits or below overnight. High winds could cause damage to weak tree limbs and small structures, especially for all areas east of I-25.

COLORADO SPRINGS: High – 59↓; Low – 23. High winds today with rain quickly turning to snow in the mid-afternoon with snow through early Thursday morning. Briargate north and east is where the heaviest snow will fall, combined with high winds and rapidly falling temperatures. While snow totals downtown will be next to nothing, whiteout driving conditions will still impact any evening and overnight commutes. Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph could lead to structure damage, just like the last large winter storm.

PUEBLO: High – 67; Low – 28.  High winds today with rapidly falling temperatures late today but more so through the early evening hours. Rain will turn to snow overnight, and while we’re not expecting really any accumulation, whiteout conditions from high winds could lead to dangerous overnight commutes in and around town. Snow totals will range from 2 to 4 inches around Briargate and north, and 2 inches to nothing from Woodmen road south to Fountain. Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph, especially east of I-25, could cause structural damage.

CANON CITY: High – 62; Low – 29. Canon City will be least impacted from this storm, but caution should still be taken when driving later tonight. Blowing snow and strong winds could lead to limited visibility, especially the more east you go in Fremont County, and north along highway 115. Wind gusts in the 30 mph range at the most will likely not lead to any damage through town.

WOODLAND PARK: High – 47↓; Low – 13. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect through Teller County and while Woodland Park is not going to see a blizzard, strong winds and heavy snow will make travel today and tonight dangerous. Heavy snow later today and tonight will be accompanied by winds gusting between 20 to 40 mph, meaning visibility will be next to nothing at times with wind chills at or below zero by tomorrow morning.

TRI-LAKES: High – 50↓; Low – 10s. The worst impact from this storm is expected to occur in the Tri-Lakes area today and tonight due to very heavy snow, damaging winds, and wind chills at or below zero overnight. Rain will near instantly change to snow after the cold front moves through after lunch with heavy snow falling by 3 to 4 pm. It will be dangerous to be on the roads from 4 pm past midnight. Snow totals will range from 4 to 8 inches with wind gusts possibly causing structural damage as they blow over 50 mph.

PLAINS: High – 70ss; Low – 20s. High fire danger exists today with a High Wind Warning in effect through all of the plains east of I-25. Rain later today will turn to snow overnight, and even though snow totals will remain low, whiteout driving conditions should be expected through the overnight hours. Some of the bigger snow totals in the plains will occur east by Prowers and Kiowa Counties.

WALSENBURG/TRINIDAD: High – 50s; Low – 20s. High winds and high fire danger this afternoon with rain and snow falling later this evening. Heavy snow tonight combined with very strong winds will mean any driving after 8 pm will be dangerous from limited visibility and slushy roads. Snow totals from Walsenburg to Trinidad will range from 1 to 3 inches with wind gusts in the 30 to 60 mph range, especially for areas east of I-25.


EXTENDED OUTLOOK:
Snow will end quickly Thursday morning but strong winds and leftover blowing snow will make early morning drives, especially along I-25 north of Woodmen as well as highway 24 east and westbound dangerous. More light snow is possible Friday in the afternoon and overnight but snow totals and wind both look to be much lighter and no where near the impact we’ll see today. Warm and dry weather is back from Sunday to Monday.