Heavy snow and strong winds are causing dangerous road conditions throughout the mountains Sunday, while strong winds and low humidity on the plains are leading to critical fire danger.
In the mountains, over eight inches of snow has fallen in some areas, according to the National Weather Service, and winter storm warning across the higher elevations states up to 12 more inches could fall.
Most of the winter storm warnings are for areas above 9,000 feet.
Winds above the tree line could gust as high as 65 mph; mountain valleys could see up to 45 mph wind gusts.
Most roads in the mountains are snow covered this morning. Slow down & use caution on these slick roads. Any improvement in road conditions today will be minor. Additional snow & cooler temps after sunset will cause road conditions to worsen this evening. #cowx pic.twitter.com/ueOiRx208v
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 3, 2024
Forecasters warn visibility will be near zero across the higher mountain passes.
Interstate 70 is open in the mountains as of 10 a.m. Sunday, but there were several safety closures overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Most roads are snow-covered, and additional snow and cooler temperatures after Sunset Sunday will worsen conditions.
On the other side of the state, Red Flag warnings dot the plains from Fort Collins and the Wyoming border to the New Mexico border.
The warnings are in effect until 6 p.m. due to high winds up to 45 mph and low humidity in the teens.
In Denver, a cold front brought cooler temperatures overnight. The high Sunday is 55 degrees.
There is a 20% chance of snow between noon and 4 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers after that. The low Sunday night is 26 degrees.
Most of the week will have similar temperatures, with highs in the 40s and 50s; the next snow chance is Wednesday night and Thursday.