Parts of the mountains are seeing their first significant snowfall of the season this week…
(Early Season Snow vxr :46)
A few flurries were seen late Wednesday afternoon near the Loveland ski area next to the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels, as temperatures dropped quickly. Colder temps and some accumulation are expected today. The first Winter Weather Advisory of the season is up, now until at least 6 Friday morning, along I-70 through Vail and Eagle, but also north of there to include Steamboat Springs, and south covering Aspen and Crested Butte. Forecasters say 6 to 14 inches are possible anywhere in that wide area. Rabbit Ears, Berthoud (BIRTH-ihd) and Vail Passes are all expected to be difficult to drive the next couple days, and CDOT has temporarily closed Independence Pass on Colorado 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes. The old stagecoach trail is dangerous enough when it’s dry, being narrow with no guardrails, but they don’t want to take any chances. Independence is expected to reopen as soon as snow and ice can be cleared. It’ll later close for the winter sometime in early November.
(Winter Wx Signs Posted :24)
It’s a sign! Or several of them, that winter is indeed coming… signs went up and emails went out Wednesday, that winding, treacherous (even on a clear sunny day) Independence Pass on Colorado Highway 82 is now closed, but just temporarily, until tomorrow, with potential heavy snow in the forecast. CDOT expects the narrow road that has no guardrails to reopen Friday for at least a few weeks- it usually doesn’t close for the winter until sometime in early November.