12/31/21 Friday 3 pm
As expected, there was no new guidance from the NWS Grand Junction office this afternoon in regards to their low elevation Winter Storm Warning for our area. Either they are confident with it or we will not hear another word about it.
Here are the planned mitigations for tonight and tomorrow across the passes.
TODAY, New Year’s Eve, 12/31
US 50 Monarch Pass: Avalanche mitigation operations will take place on US 50 Monarch Pass today (New Year’s Eve) beginning at 5 p.m. Eastbound traffic will be stopped near Sargents, MP 190. Westbound traffic will be stopped just east of Monarch Ski Area, MP 205. Motorists will encounter a lengthy delay of at least two hours.
TOMORROW, New Year’s Day, 1/1
US 160 Wolf Creek Pass: Avalanche mitigation is planned for US 160 Wolf Creek Pass tomorrow (New Year’s Day) beginning at 5:30 a.m. Eastbound traffic will be stopped near Treasure Falls, MP 158 and westbound traffic will be stopped just west of the ski area near the pass summit, MP 168. Travelers can expect a lengthy delay of an hour or more.
US 550 Red Mountain Pass: Avalanche mitigation is planned for US 550 Red Mountain Pass tomorrow (New Year’s Day) beginning at 8 a.m. Travelers will encounter traffic stops and lengthy delays between Silverton and Ouray. Operations are expected to last for much of the day.
CO 145 Lizard Head Pass: Avalanche mitigation operations are planned for CO 145 Lizard Head Pass tomorrow (New Year’s Day) beginning at 9 a.m. Motorists will encounter traffic stops and lengthy delays between Rico and Telluride throughout the morning.
Travelers should plan ahead for these closures! Expect lengthy delays, allow for extra travel time or arrive at the closure points before designated traffic stop times. Please be aware that estimated closure durations may be extended. Closures are dependent upon the amount of snow and debris that must be cleared from the highway as well as other possible and unusual circumstances.
Currently there are no plans for mitigation on US 550 Coal Bank and Molas Passes; nor for CO 17 Cumbres and La Manga Passes. However, snowfall accumulations across the region may require additional avalanche control work this weekend or in the coming days. Travelers should visit COtrip.org for road and highway updates. Check avalanche conditions at CAIC: www.avalanche.state.co.us
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Happy New Year !! Nothing but a dusting overnight here at intersection of CR 228 and 502 at 7,750 feet. Is it over now ?? Major weather services suggest nothing but sunshine and no precipitation for the next ten days. If so, we will have time to “dig out”. And ski too.