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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Weather & Traffic

  • Widespread snow unfolds across Northwest, Rockies

    Widespread snow unfolds across Northwest, Rockies

    “As a strong cold front moves through, the jet stream will quickly sink out of Canada and well south of the region, allowing polar air to spill southward and eastward,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike LeSeney explained.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – October 24, 2022 –A potent storm has started a big change for many in the western United States, bringing cold air and the first accumulating snow of the season for many spots.

    In recent days, much of the Northwest and northern Rockies have felt more like late summer rather than autumn. This past Thursday, temperatures reached the 70s Fahrenheit in Spokane, Washington and soared to around 80 degrees in cities like Bend, Oregon, and Reno, Nevada, temperatures that are more than 15 degrees above normal for October.

    Following the warmth, chill has swept the area.

    The arrival of this storm sent temperatures plunging for the start of the past weekend across the Northwest. High temperatures were in the 40s and 50s through Sunday. Conditions deteriorated Saturday night and, by Sunday morning, snow stretched from Canada to Utah and Colorado.

    “The storm is forecast to strengthen early week, allowing for snow to fill in and for strong winds to develop,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

    As colder air packed with this moisture from the Pacific rolls southeastward over the Rockies and helps to fuel the storm over the Plains, freezing levels will lower over the mountainous terrain. This drop in temperature will allow rain to change to snow over the ridges and peaks and intermediate elevations through Monday.

    As of Sunday evening, the highest snow total came from the mountains around Alta, Utah, which recorded 20 inches. Several other mountain locations reported over a foot of snow including Brighton, Utah, and Big Sky, Montana.

    The stormy weather will come with some notable hazards, especially for travel. Motorists should expect delays along with the possibility of road closures, including portions of interstates 70, 80, 90 and 94 and possibly along a stretch of Canada’s Highway 1 in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan due to the snow.

    This could be especially true across the lower elevations of the northern Plains. While the amount of snow may be limited, a narrow area of heavy snow is likely. Blizzard conditions may occur in a part of this region where high winds combine with snow to reduce the visibility to 1/4 mile or less.

    Widespread snow unfolds across Northwest, Rockies (Full Story) >>

  • Massive storm to target central US with blizzard conditions, high winds and severe weather

    Massive storm to target central US with blizzard conditions, high winds and severe weather

    As cold air and surging warmth collide, a whopper of a storm system will unleash a variety of travel-disrupting weather impacts such as heavy snow, severe weather and winds up to 90 mph across the nation’s midsection.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – October 20, 2022 – A substantial flip-flop in the weather pattern will allow a major storm to unfold smack dab in the middle of the United States this weekend and persist into early next week. The storm’s variety of adverse weather conditions could lead to a multitude of travel problems and will pose some risk to lives and property from the Rockies to the Great Plains, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

    Everything from strong, dry winds to severe thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain, hail and even tornadoes will erupt in the southeastern zone of the developing storm where warmer air will be in place. However, on the storm’s northwestern flank, the combination of plunging temperatures, heavy snow and gusty winds may produce localized blizzard conditions.

    A strong warming trend will accelerate well ahead of the developing storm over the Plains and Midwest into this weekend and in the wake of abnormally cold weather that made it feel like winter this week. A temperature rise of 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit will occur over a matter of a few days.

    Strong winds to roar from Arizona to Minnesota

    “The warmup will be accompanied by gusty south-to-southwest winds that will raise the risk of wildfire ignition and rapid spread,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. “The winds can also kick up dust from the deserts and blow it hundreds of miles to the Great Plains.”

    The strongest winds will develop as colder air from the Northwest begins to catch up with the warmth from the Southwest states to portions of the central and southern Plains by Sunday and Sunday night.

    “In the zone from northeastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas to southeastern Colorado and central Kansas, frequent gusts will range from 60-80 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 90 mph,” Anderson said. At this intensity, trucks can be flipped over, property damage can occur and power lines may come down.

    Violent thunderstorms to strike at night

    The same clash of warm and cold air combined with surging moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a strong jet stream overhead will trigger severe thunderstorms from portions of the central Plains to the Upper Midwest late Sunday afternoon to Sunday night.

    “The thunderstorm threat includes the full spectrum of severe weather ranging from localized flash flooding and large hail to the likelihood of powerful wind gusts and the potential for a few tornadoes,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

    High winds will be the most common threat from the storms, and gusts could approach 100 mph in some cases. Forecasters say there is a heightened risk with this incoming storm system because the majority of the storms may occur toward sunset and after dark Sunday night when they may be difficult to spot in advance.

    The zone AccuWeather meteorologists have outlined as the greatest risk for severe weather extends from northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri to southern Minnesota.

    Winds, snow could create blizzard conditions

    As colder air packed with moisture from the Pacific rolls southeastward over the Rockies and helps to fuel the storm over the Plains, freezing levels will lower over the mountainous terrain to the point where snow works its way down from the ridges and peaks to intermediate levels from Saturday night to Monday.

    Enough cold air and moisture are likely to be present to bring a general 6-12 inches of snow with local amounts to 30 inches in portions of the Wasatch in Utah, the Rockies in Colorado, the Tetons in Wyoming and the Sawtooth Range in Idaho.

    Massive storm to target central US with blizzard conditions, high winds and severe weather (Full Story) >>

  • AccuWeather Special Report: AccuWeather’s 2022-2023 US winter forecast

    AccuWeather Special Report: AccuWeather’s 2022-2023 US winter forecast

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – October 5, 2022 – From the abundance of acorns in the fall to the bushiness of squirrel tails, there are many fanciful forecasting techniques have been used over the years as a means to glean a glimpse of what the weather will be like in the upcoming winter.

    AccuWeather‘s approach to concocting the winter forecast, one of its most highly-anticipated seasonal outlooks, is a bit different: The process involves a team of veteran long-range forecasters analyzing computer models, looking at how previous winters have played out and using their own personal experience to determine if it’s going to be a snowy winter, if and when the polar vortex will unleash Arctic air across North America and whether it will be a good season for skiers.

    This winter is indeed looking like a snowy one across most of the northern tier of the contiguous United States, but AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok says, there is more to the forecast than just snowstorms.

    Pastelok and his team of long-range forecasters are predicting a “triple dip La Niña,” as it is the third winter in a row that La Niña will shape the weather patterns across the U.S. The regular climate phenomenon occurs when the water near the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean is cooler than average, which in turn influences the jet stream and the overall weather patterns in North America. Despite what will be the third La Niña winter in a row, this winter will not necessarily be a carbon copy of the past two.

    See the Full Report on AccuWeather.com >>

  • AccuWeather Special Report: AccuWeather’s 2022 US fall allergy forecast

    AccuWeather Hurricane Center – September 8, 2022 – Even though the thermometer is still surpassing the century mark in some parts of the country, department stores have stocked the shelves with fall decorations and coffee shops have brought back their famous pumpkin spice lattes. Millions across the United States are likely hoping for the return to cooler weather and fall activities, but the fall allergy season is one thing many Americans would rather put on pause.

    As more and more fall festivities kick off, AccuWeather forecasters say fall allergies will be back in full force across some parts of the country, affecting millions.

    “Allergies really happen all year round, and the fall is different than spring and summer,” Chief Medical Officer at WebMD Dr. John Whyte said to AccuWeather in an interview. “What we see in the fall are allergies to ragweed. It blooms between August and November, so we kind of see that peak pollen actually [occur in] mid- to late September.”

    According to WebMD, mold and dust mites are two other allergy triggers during the fall. Mold spores love wet spots outside, so piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold. When temperatures drop outside, people will turn the heat on for the first time in months, stirring dust mites into the air that have been sitting around all summer.

    AccuWeather Special Report: AccuWeather’s 2022 US fall allergy forecast >>

  • Colorado State Patrol Requesting Assistance Locating Hit and Run Driver in Fatal Crash

    Colorado State Patrol Requesting Assistance Locating Hit and Run Driver in Fatal Crash

    WELD COUNTY – Investigators with the Colorado State Patrol are requesting assistance from the public to locate Octavio Gonzales-Garcia after his suspected involvement in a crash that left another party dead.

    At approximately 5:31 PM on Sunday, September 18, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash located at the intersections of Weld County Road 37 and AA Street.  Initial investigations show a 2006 Ford van was westbound on AA street; a 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle, driven by a 24 year old female from Windsor, CO, was southbound on CR 37.  The Ford Van proceeded from a stop sign at the intersection into the path of the motorcycle; the motorcycle collided its front with the passenger side of the van, causing the motorcycle to catch fire. The female motorcycle rider was declared deceased on scene.  No other parties were on or in either vehicle.  The identity of the deceased is being withheld while notifications are being made.

    Investigators believe Mr. Octavio Gonzalez-Garcia, DOB 5/25/86, was operating the Ford van and fled the scene on foot after the crash.  A search was conducted in the area but Mr. Gonzalez-Garcia was not located.  Mr. Gonzalez-Garcia is wanted for questioning related to the crash.  He is described as a Latino male, 5’7”, heavier build, with brown hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.  He is last known to have resided in the Greeley area   Mr. Gonzalez-Garcia is encouraged to turn himself into the authorities.  Anyone with information to the whereabouts of Mr. Gonzalez-Garcia is asked to contact investigators at: 303-239-4501, reference case # 3A221639.  You can remain anonymous.

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  • Kay unleashes nearly year’s worth of rain, flash flooding in SoCal

    Kay unleashes nearly year’s worth of rain, flash flooding in SoCal

    After bringing deadly impacts to Mexico as a hurricane, the storm lost wind intensity while pounding the Golden State — and it came close enough as a Pacific tropical storm to make the history books.

    AccuWeather Hurricane Center – September 12, 2022 – Tropical Storm Kay unleashed intense winds, flooding rains and even scorching temperatures to drought-stricken California on Friday after bringing deadly impacts to Mexico. As the storm was downgraded to a tropical rainstorm on Saturday, thousands were still without power in California and scenes of havoc were left behind following the storm’s record rainfall.

    It wasn’t just the precipitation from the storm that was notable as it took a historically close track nearing the Golden State. Kay marked the closest approach to Southern California from the Pacific in the last 50 years. The next to last point tracked by the National Hurricane Center on Sept. 10 was 130 miles offshore from San Diego, making it the closest pass to the city from the ocean side since records began in 1949, according to Jesse Ferrell, AccuWeather senior weather editor and meteorologist. The runner-up was Tropical Storm Hyacinth in 1972, which was a little farther out to sea but slightly farther north.

    At least two tropical storms made a closer approach to San Diego over land. An unnamed tropical storm in 1959 came as close as 100 miles southeast of San Diego near Agua Caliente, Mexico. Tropical Storm Kathleen was tracked to near Rancho San Isidro, Mexico, 120 miles southeast of San Diego.

    While the impacts of tropical storms typically don’t reach California, San Diego State University Professor Dr. Pat Abbott told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell that the extended heat wave in Southern California allowed Kay to move closer than usual.

    Kay unleashes nearly year’s worth of rain, flash flooding in SoCal (Full Story) >>

  • Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk

    Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk

    Flooding and mudslides have been common in the Southwest since Tropical Storm Kay brought an increase in moisture to the region last week. AccuWeather forecasters say more drenching rain is on the way.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – September 14, 2022 – After days of scorching, record-shattering heat in the western United States, cooler air has filtered in along with daily showers and thunderstorms across the region. AccuWeather forecasters say that more of the same is expected through the rest of this week, even as the exact location of these storms may shift around from day to day.

    This stretch of wet weather began late last week, with rain from Tropical Storm Kay dousing much of Southern California, and leading to issues with flooding and mudslides. Meanwhile, a surge of tropical moisture associated with the North American monsoon overspread much of the Intermountain West, bringing daily showers and thunderstorms across the region.

    Not every location across the West has had storms on a given day, but storms that have formed have often been intense, bringing heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts to some locations.

    In Phoenix, storms arrived late Sunday evening. Along with a quick 0.62 of an inch of rain in the city, damaging wind gusts reached as high as 86 mph at Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, prompting a ground stop that caused flights to be delayed and rerouted.

    Las Vegas set a daily rainfall record on Monday when a total of 0.17 of an inch fell. The previous daily rainfall record for Sept. 12 there was 0.05 of an inch, which was set back in 1969.

    Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk (Full Story) >>

  • Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk

    Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk

    Flooding and mudslides have been common in the Southwest since Tropical Storm Kay brought an increase in moisture to the region last week. AccuWeather forecasters say more drenching rain is on the way.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – September 13, 2022 – After days of scorching, record-shattering heat in the western United States, cooler air has filtered in along with daily showers and thunderstorms across the region. AccuWeather forecasters say that more of the same is expected through the rest of this week, even as the exact location of these storms may shift around from day to day.

    This stretch of wet weather began late last week, with rain from Tropical Storm Kay dousing much of Southern California, and leading to issues with flooding and mudslides. Meanwhile, a surge of tropical moisture associated with the North American monsoon overspread much of the Intermountain West, bringing daily showers and thunderstorms across the region.

    Not every location across the West has had storms on a given day, but storms that have formed have often been intense, bringing heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts to some locations.

    Western rainfall to bring drought relief, increase flood risk (Full Story) >>

  • CDOT poised to redouble unprecedented commitment to rural roads

    CDOT poised to redouble unprecedented commitment to rural roads

    25% investment in rural paving to continue in CDOT’s updated 10 Year Plan

    olorado — As CDOT finalizes an update to its 10 Year Plan that prioritizes projects for the first years of sustained funding from Senate Bill 21-260, the unprecedented levels of rural road investment will continue to remake the road network that connects smaller communities across Colorado. The updated plan is slated for consideration and adoption by the Colorado Transportation Commission at its September meeting, which will also bring the state’s transportation plans into compliance with its greenhouse gas planning standards. The first four years of the 10-Year Plan allocated approximately $382 million to rural pavement condition and have made improvements to roads in 55 counties. CDOT will maintain this focus throughout the decade, with a total of over $940 million dollars going toward rural roads over the life of the plan.

    These 10-Year Plan investments are on top of an estimated $230 million spent statewide every year on road resurfacing that is performed through CDOT’s base funding programs, including its asset management program. By putting additional funds and focus through 10 Year Plan dollars, CDOT is ensuring that Colorado’s low volume roads get the attention they need to serve as quality, reliable linkages between communities. These roads serve important statewide functions by helping agricultural and other critical goods come to market and by helping tourists and recreation travelers reach Colorado’s special places.

    “As we traveled the state to hear from neighbors at the very beginning of the 10 Year Plan’s development, we heard loud and clear how important it was to reinvest in our rural roads.  Across the state, citizens can see completed projects that together comprise record investment in rural roads, and we look forward to the continuation of this important program with the next phase of the Ten Year Plan,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. 

    “During past months, the Transportation Commission has advocated for, and ensured that asset management and maintenance of the state’s transportation infrastructure are given priority in 10-year planning and other budget discussions. We have made rural paving a key focus area, are monitoring spending closely, and are proud that more funds are being put toward this key priority program,” said Transportation Commission Chair Don Stanton.

    CDOT’s Rural Paving Program comprises 25% of the amount programmed through CDOT “strategic funding”, which in the first four years was comprised largely of the proceeds from debt obtained through Certificates of Participation pursuant to Senate Bill 17-267 and is subsequently comprised largely of revenue from Senate Bill 21-260 combined with above-base federal funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

    Strategic funding table for the 10-year plan


    Of note, these funds are just a portion of the significant amounts that CDOT is spending each year on rural roads. Rural roads also comprise a large share of the state’s base “asset management” program, which is separate from the Ten Year Plan and dedicated to core investments in state-of-good-repair, like fixing pavement and bridges and replacing culverts. This program has also repaired about 400 miles of rural roads each year for the last several years, with the Ten Year Plan investments resulting in about 200 miles of rural roadwork last year. 

    “Our rural roads are often overlooked for money over the years,” Gary Beedy, Colorado Transportation Commissioner from Genoa said. “It is nice to see the state is focusing energy on this important part of our state’s transportation system. It allows the surface treatment dollars to address other critical needs on the system that could still use increased funding for surface treatment and preventative maintenance.”

    As an example of the impact of these projects, CDOT recently completed a 19-mile stretch along US Highway 50 south of Grand Junction, roughly between Whitewater and Delta. Crews completed full-depth reclamation, milling, hot mix asphalt top mat paving and lane level paving, shouldering, guardrail installation, rumble strip installation and permanent striping. In recent years the section of roadway has been referred to as the “Delta Dips” or the “Roller Coaster.” Now the repaired section of US 50 is a smoother, safer drive thanks to full-depth reclamation at multiple locations along the project.

    “US Highway 50 is a lifeline for residents, businesses and commuters in Delta, Montrose and Mesa counties,” said Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes. “The smoother, safer drive on US 50 between Grand Junction and Delta benefits all of these motorists.”

    Hinsdale County Commissioner Robert Hurd has been very supportive of CDOT and the CO 149 Resurfacing project. He spoke at a project milestone event earlier this summer, stating,  “This process that you’re using now for paving – I look out and think, wow, this is going to last. This project overall is going to be great for our road system connecting our mountain communities along Highway 149.”

    “Otero County would like to thank CDOT for spending funds in rural America and to be more to the point in Otero County. We Appreciate CDOT’s efforts to keep our rural state highways and our people safe!” said Otero County Commissioner Jim Baldwin.

    1 Strategic funding represents the total capital dollars available in the 10 Year Plan after 10% is allocated off the top to transit as first established per legislative direction from Senate Bill 17-267. Because CDOT’s Denver metro region does not have sufficient rural road mileage to participate in the program, the strategic funding column shows available dollars only to the areas of the state where the 25% rural paving target applies as a percentage of the total strategic funding allocated (CDOT Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5).

    10-Year Plan Projects Funded to Date

  • Intense, prolonged heat wave set to roast the West

    A heat dome will settle over the West this week and help produce record-challenging temperatures across the region. One location could reach as high as 119 degrees Fahrenheit.

    AccuWeather Global Weather Center – August 30, 2022 – In recent days and weeks, many of the Western states have avoided prolonged periods of intense heat that have been common this summer as the frequent rainfall and humidity provided by the North American monsoon have helped keep temperatures in check across the region. However, AccuWeather meteorologists expect a sharp pattern change to occur this week and usher in much higher temperatures.

    The frequent rainfall so far this month has made an impact on temperatures in the Desert Southwest. In Phoenix, for example, temperatures so far in August have been 1.5 degrees below average. While temperatures in the city generally peak at around 105 degrees Fahrenheit in August, the mercury has failed to reach the triple digits on many days. Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Las Vegas have also had below-normal temperatures so far this month.

    In the Northwest, which has been drier as of late, it’s been a slightly different story. In Portland, Oregon, temperatures have been about 4 degrees above average for August. Similar numbers are being reported in cities such as Seattle and Salt Lake City. The combination of high heat and little rain has led to the spread of wildfires as well, with several major blazes burning in the region. With this week’s expected pattern, relief is unlikely to arrive soon.

    An impressive ridge of high pressure will build across the West this week, allowing temperatures to steadily rise over time. With the jet stream pushed well to the north, the chances for meaningful, widespread rain will be close to zero with this pattern, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Andrew Kienzle.

    Intense, prolonged heat wave set to roast the West (Full Story) >>