Cross-country winter storm lashing Colorado kills 1, strands drivers in multiple wrecks
Winter weather alerts are in effect for portions of Colorado and New Mexico as a powerful cross-country storm gains strength on its journey across the U.S., and now parts of the Denver area are on alert for potential impacts.
Snow falling across Colorado could make travel treacherous on I-70, I-25
Winter weather alerts are in effect for portions of New Mexico and Colorado as a powerful cross-country storm gains strength on its journey across the U.S., and now the Denver metro is on alert for potential impacts.
Fast Facts:
- At least one person has died in southeastern Colorado following a head-on crash.
- Up to a foot of snow has blanketed the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
- Travel could be significantly impacted on I-25 and I-70.
DENVER – A severe winter storm in southeastern Colorado created dangerous conditions on roads Thursday, leaving drivers stranded, causing accidents and tragically resulting in at least one fatality, according to troopers.
Colorado State Patrol said they responded to multiple reports of vehicles stuck on Interstate 70 in Elbert County, forcing the road to be shut down. The interstate was closed while the stuck drivers were helped back onto the road and the road was treated.
Southeastern Colorado experienced a storm causing hazardous conditions on interstates and highways. Snow quickly covered the roads resulting in stranded motorists, property damage crashes, and ultimately a fatal crash (Colorado State Patrol / FOX Weather)
In Fremont County, troopers have responded to multiple crashes on Highway 115 near Penrose. One of those crashes resulted in a death, troopers said. The crash caused the highway to be shut down at that location and has since been reopened.
Watch: Snow, wind lash Colorado Springs, Colorado
Central Colorado was hit by heavy snowfall and strong winds on the morning of Thursday. Ryan Matoush took footage of the snow and posted it on X.
Troopers in the El Paso County area responded to a non-injury crash on I-25. During the investigation, a marked Colorado State Patrol vehicle was struck by another motorist. The trooper and the driver did not suffer any injuries during the crash.
Winter weather alerts remain in effect for portions of Colorado - including the far eastern suburbs of Denver - and New Mexico as a powerful cross-country storm gains strength on its journey across the U.S..
This storm system is the same one that brought beneficial rain to Southern California earlier this week. It’s expected to blast millions of people from the Southwest to the Northeast with a trio of threats, including heavy snow, severe weather and flooding rain, which will significantly impact travel in these regions.
The snow has ended in Arizona and New Mexico, with up to a foot recorded in the mountains, the FOX Forecast Center said. Thundersnow was even reported across northern New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon.
The snow should conclude Thursday afternoon as the storm tracks east.