“Travel could be very difficult to impossible at times, especially late Tuesday,” forecasters warn as a late-season snowstorm is poised to blanket the Rocky Mountains starting Monday night. With Cinco de Mayo celebrations underway, residents and visitors alike are bracing for significant snowfall.
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for parts of Wyoming and Colorado, predicting snowfall totals of 10 to 24 inches across the Front Range foothills and Rocky Mountain National Park. As colder air sweeps in, heavy snow—combined with wind gusts reaching up to 45 mph—could create whiteout conditions.
Travelers on major routes like I-80 and I-25 should prepare for treacherous conditions. Specifically, I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie is expected to see 8 to 16 inches of snow from Monday night through Wednesday noon. Meanwhile, a separate warning covers Arlington and Elk Mountain along I-80, where 5 to 10 inches may accumulate.
Key snowfall predictions:
- 10 to 24 inches across the Front Range foothills
- 8 to 16 inches on I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie
- 5 to 10 inches at Elk Mountain
- 4 to 8 inches of total accumulation in Cheyenne
The storm is expected to exit the area by Wednesday afternoon, allowing warmer conditions to return by Thursday. However, officials caution that the historic problem spot west of Rawlins toward Bitter Creek may see drift heights reach four feet in some areas.
As people celebrate Cinco de Mayo, they must navigate these hazardous travel conditions carefully. The combination of heavy snow and wind will make many roads impassable at times. Those planning festivities should stay updated on weather alerts and road conditions before heading out.
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