Snow Continues to Pile Up Across Colorado and New Mexico

Winter has arrived with a vengeance across the Rockies after a one-two punch of wintry conditions. Here is a look at what you can expect for additional snowfall accumulation when the second storm system arrives as well as what will happen to the system when it moves into warmer air in the south-central U.S.

More Snow on the Way for the Central and Southern Rockies

The first measurable snow of the season arrived in Denver this week as a winter storm system unleashed across the Four Corners region. Over a foot of snow was recorded in the southern parts of Colorado and into the mountains of northern New Mexico.

The Denver metro area began to see the flakes fly late Tuesday and into Wednesday. Denver International Airport recorded 4 inches of snow during this event. Snowfall accumulations of over 6 inches were reported in downtown Denver, well over what forecasters had initially estimated that this first blast of winter would bring.

It was even snowier moving farther to the south along Interstate 25. The city of Colorado Springs, about one hour south of Denver, picked up snowfall amounts ranging from 6 to 10 inches by the time that the system wrapped up on Wednesday.

Another slow-moving storm system is going to bring the threat of more snow to the Rockies and beyond into the weekend. Motorists may experience challenges traveling along the Interstate 25 corridor in Colorado and down into New Mexico at times. This weather maker is making its way down the spine of the Rockies and deep into the Four Corners region. Because its deep location has cut off the steering winds circulating in the atmosphere, the system will move at a crawl in the days ahead.

The result will bring significant snowfall for some of the same areas that picked up moisture out of the midweek system. This includes a large part of northern New Mexico, the eastern part of Colorado, and parts of the southern Plains. Southern Colorado and northern New Mexico will take the brunt of the storm as it creeps through the Four Corners states.

How much snow can you expect? The forecast is calling for over a foot of snow in the hardest hit areas. The snow will come down at a fast clip at times, accumulating at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour during the peak of activity. This will likely translate to road closures. The heavily traveled Raton Pass on Interstate 25 near the border of Colorado and New Mexico has been targeted as a stretch of highway that may be closed for a time.

The snow is good news for the ski resorts of the region. However, motorists heading to these resorts may encounter travel difficulties in the form of slippery roads and reduced visibility. The storm will also usher in gusty winds, amplifying the danger on the roads thanks to blowing and drifting snow. Be sure to check road conditions before heading up into the mountains.

Localized power outages may also be an issue this weekend as the heavy and wet early season snow brings down trees and power lines. This is a good time to make sure that you are prepared for the power outages that winter weather often brings to this part of the country.