Travelers planning a mountain getaway this weekend should be prepared for heavy traffic and a shot of wintry, snowy weather.
“This is the final week of winter break before students head back to school. We are expecting that last surge of holiday traffic with folks trying to take advantage of the new snow that’s forecast for Saturday,” said Patrick Chavez, of the Colorado Department of Transportation, in a news release. “We’ll certainly see heavy and slower traffic at the typical hours of the day — in the morning when folks are headed into the mountains and in the evening when they are headed home.”
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 3 p.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday for the central mountains, including the Interstate 70 corridor, and the northwest and southwest San Juan mountains. Cities in the advisory forecast include Aspen, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs, Telluride and Vail.
Snow is expected with accumulations between 5 to 10 inches, with up to 14 inches of new snow in some higher elevations. Drivers should expect reduced visibility at times. Daytime high temperatures in Vail will be in the 30s this weekend with overnight lows in the teens to lower 20s.
Drivers and travelers may be affected by highway safety closures — when roads are temporarily shut down because traffic conditions become treacherous.
“We really encourage travelers to be prepared for the changing road conditions. Our patrols are getting plows ready for the weekend, to clear the roads of snow and keep the traveling public moving safely,” said Chavez, CDOT’s I-70 mountain corridor manager. “The best strategy during adverse weather is for travelers to slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you.”
Drivers should make sure their vehicle has good, proper tires and backup radial tire chains as an option for adverse conditions. Packing winter traveling kits, including blankets, water, flashlight, shovel and food, is recommended. Sand, for traction, a shovel, jumper cables and an ice scraper are among the proper gear that drivers should pack.
Drivers with inadequate or substandard tires face traffic fines under Colorado law.
