Weather update: Snow squall, lifts now running as normal
Punxsutawney Phil’s early spring prediction on Groundhog Day is looking less likely as snow squalls, wind, and winter weather conditions cause road closures in Aspen.
According to the National Weather Service, snow showers are predicted before 4 p.m. and at times will be heavy. Before 11 a.m., patchy, blowing snow is expected. Thunder is also possible. NWS predicts snowfall to be between 3 and 5 inches during the day.
A strong cold front will continue moving south through the area, with several embedded snow squalls. This frontal band should be south of the area by early to mid afternoon, with lingering showers across the northern mountains. #cowx #utwx pic.twitter.com/wDMQ5y4LfP
— NWS Grand Junction (@NWSGJT) February 27, 2024
Earlier Tuesday morning, a snow squall warning was in effect Highway 82, with intense bursts of heavy snow, gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility falling to less than a quarter mile.
NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Traffic
According to a 12:37 p.m. PitkinAlert, Castle Creek Road will be closed from just South of South Hayden Rd for all traffic in or out for approximately 3 hours beginning at 1:00 PM.
“Please adjust your plans accordingly, as there will be no exceptions,” the alert states.
McLain Flats Rd reopened according to a 10:07 a.m. PitkinAlert. The road closed at 8:42 a.m. due to an accident at mile marker 4 near the Sunnyside trailhead.
“Winter conditions still exist and traction on McLain Flats is limited. All-wheel or 4-wheel drive is strongly recommended if you are driving on McLain Flats today,” the PitkinAlert states.
PitkinAlert Traffic: McLain Flats Rd is closed due to an accident at mm 4 near the Sunnyside trail head. Please use alternate routes at this time. The length of closure is unknown currently. Winter conditions and low visibility exists on all roads in Pitkin County. Please reduce
— Pitkin Alert (@AlertPitkin) February 27, 2024
Additionally, Pitkin County is under accident alert due to poor weather and road conditions.
“If involved in an accident with no injuries and the vehicles are drivable, please contact CSP at 970-249-4392,” the 8:46 a.m. PitkinAlert states.
Pitkin Community Traffic Alert – All-County area. Due to poor weather and road conditions, Pitkin County is now under accident alert. If involved in an accident with no injuries and the vehicles are drivable, please contact CSP at 970-249-4392.
— Pitkin Alert (@AlertPitkin) February 27, 2024
Call 911 or 970-920-5310 for accid
On the mountain
Operations on the four mountains are running normally after strong winds delayed the opening of some lifts at Snowmass and the Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mountain. Aspen Skiing Company will monitor the wind and address lift closures as needed. Wind direction matters more than speed for lift safety.
“There’s really no specific threshold because it depends on the direction of the wind, and case-specific lifts,” said Jeff Hanle, SkiCo vice president of communications. “If the wind is blowing directly across the gondola lines, then that’s more of an issue than if it’s blowing up and down the line.”
SkiCo will also monitor for down trees in the ski area. Mountain updates on weather and lift closures are available on the Aspen Snowmass app.
According to OpenSnow, wind speeds at Aspen Mountain, Highlands, and Snowmass are measuring 15 mph with 25-30 mph gusts. Buttermilk wind speeds are measuring 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
An 8:52 a.m. PitkinAlert said that Aspen Mountain Patrol will be setting off avalanche mitigation charges Tuesday morning.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) issued an Avalanche Warning for the Elk Mountains from Feb. 26 through Feb. 28 at 6 a.m.
“Heavy snow and strong winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions Monday night through Wednesday morning. Avalanches will break wide across terrain features and run long distances. Many will run naturally. Travel in, near, or under avalanche terrain is not recommended,” the warning states.
On Tuesday, avalanche danger is high above, near, and below the treeline. The avalanche danger level is expected to decrease to considerable on Wednesday.
Snow totals
According to OpenSnow, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass will receive 7 inches of snow Tuesday and Buttermilk will receive 5 inches.
“The cold front is now making its way into the Roaring Fork Valley as I type just after 7:30 am on Tuesday morning. This will crank up the snow machine and we’ll receive very heavy snow, strong winds, and low visibility through midday ahead of fluffy, orographically-driven snow on the backside of the cold front,” OpenSnow meteorologist Sam Collentine wrote in the Aspen Snowmass Daily Snow.
RFTA running normally after a few morning delays
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority experienced a few delays across its service areas upvalley Tuesday morning, but all lines are running normally as of 11 a.m.
The Snowmass lines experienced the brunt of slick roads, with one bus getting stuck on Kearns Road, though it was freed quickly, according to RFTA Communications Manager Jamie Tatsuno.
The Hunter Creek line experienced delays after a car rear-ended a bus, but service was back to normal by 9 a.m.
Riders can stay up-to-date with RFTA service alerts via MyRFTA.
