2/22/22 Tuesday 2:45 pm
Expect scattered snow showers to continue or redevelop this evening. There are no changes to the current Winter Storm Warnings in place. I am not revising any of my forecasts. The models all agree on a very heavy band of snow coming across the entire forecast area from west to east Wednesday mid to late morning. Snow is expected to continue throughout the day on Wednesday and end sometime on Thursday.
Here is the latest from CDOT. In addition to this evening’s mitigation, expect numerous closures on Wednesday.
CDOT implements safety closure tonight on US 550 Red Mountain Pass
CDOT PHOTO: CDOT crews successfully mitigated several snow slide paths on US 550 Red Mountain Pass today. Above, a bulldozer clears snow at the Blue Point snow slide just north of the pass summit. This triggered slide brought down more than 8 ft. of snow at the highway’s centerline, along a 200 ft. stretch of roadway. Operations also took place on the Mother Cline and East Riverside slide paths.
SOUTHWEST COLORADO — US Highway 550 Red Mountain Pass will close at nightfall, approximately 6 p.m. The Colorado Department of Transportation is implementing the safety closure due to adverse weather and treacherous road conditions. Forecasts for additional heavy accumulations of snow, high winds, blowing snow, and low visibility will create hazardous travel conditions. There is no estimated time of reopening the pass.
US 550 currently remains open, south from Silverton to Durango, but travelers should be aware that Coal Bank and Molas passes may require safety closures as well, if the conditions deteriorate.
This morning, and into the afternoon, crews performed avalanche mitigation on the north side of Red Mountain triggering several slide paths from the pass summit to Ouray. CDOT warns the traveling public that additional avalanche mitigation operations are likely for Red Mountain and other passes in southwest Colorado over the next few days. Travelers are urged to visit COtrip.org for road closure information.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued a High Avalanche Watch for the entire San Juan Mountains, as well as other mountain ranges across western and central Colorado. Visit CAIC, http://www.avalanche.state.co.us, for more information.
Travel Impacts
Southbound traffic will be stopped just south of Ouray at mile point 92
Northbound traffic will be stopped just north of Silverton at MP 71
There is no estimated time of opening the highway
US 550 currently remains open south from Silverton, but travelers should be aware that Coal Bank and Molas passes may require safety closures if needed
Travelers are advised to use the alternate north-south route of CO Highway 145 via Telluride, until further notice.
My next update will be Wednesday morning. Thanks for following and supporting the site!
In Edgemont Highlands, we have noticed a reddish/brown stain layer in the first snow of this storm (Monday night/Tuesday morning) that is not attributable to sanding or snow melt on all our solid surfaces, patio, driveway, deck boxes, sidewalk, etc). Any idea as to what this could be attributed to.
Same red sand here in Silverton. Almost certainly from Utah and/or Arizona with the gusted winds ahead of and and the start of the storm. It’s distinctly in the first inch or two here.