Mid-week winter storm warning issued for Vail area following early week deposit of snow
John LaConte/Vail Daily
Vail received a fresh deposit of snow on Tuesday morning following a storm which began in the evening hours of Monday.
Vail Mountain reported 4 inches of fresh snow on Tuesday morning, as did Copper Mountain on the other side of Vail Pass.
By Tuesday afternoon, the flakes had stopped flying in Vail, but that storm seems to be a prelude of a bigger storm to come.
The National Weather Service Wednesday upgraded a winter storm watch to a winter storm warning. The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10.
The warning predicts up to two feet of snow in areas of northwestern Colorado, with higher amounts possible on west facing peaks.
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Gusting winds of up to 40 mph and blowing snow could make travel “difficult to impossible,” the warning states.
The wind could drop wind chill temperatures to -30 degrees at times. Frostbite could affect exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
For those who must travel during the warning period, the Weather Service advises carrying gear including a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle.
Road conditions are available by calling 511. The Colorado Department of Transportation has real-time travel updates posted on CoTrip.org.