Winter Storm in Northwest Fremont County Above 8500 Ft, Colorado

An intense winter storm affected a large portion of southern Colorado. Blizzard conditions developed along the Interstate 25 corridor and along Raton Ridge east of Trinidad. Heavy snowfall occurred mainly across the higher elevations of the western mountains, with amounts in excess of 8 inches. A band of heavy snow also affected the central San Luis Valley, with amounts ranging from 6 inches in many locations to around a foot near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Snow accumulations in excess of 10 inches occurred across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Wet Mountain Valley. During the early morning on the 26th, heavy snow began, and blizzard conditions following shortly after in El Paso County. Throughout the day the blizzard conditions spread southward to the New Mexico state line. Blizzard conditions began at the Colorado Springs Airport around 8 a.m. and lasted through 1 p.m. on the 26th. Frequent wind gusts from around 40 mph to 50 mph were common. Snow amounts for Teller County ranged from one foot on the south side of the county to 29 inches in and near Woodland Park. Snow amounts from the north side of Colorado Springs to the northern El Paso County line ranged from 16 to 25 inches. Interstate 25 from the north side of Colorado Springs to near Denver was closed for around 12 hours. Highways 83, 24, and 94 were also closed in northern and central El Paso County. Around 30 search and rescue missions occurred over northern El Paso County, and all were successful. Every school district in Teller and El Paso Counties was closed, some even on Friday. Most businesses, government offices, and military installations were closed in El Paso County on Thursday. Snow amounts of 5 to 12 inches were common through central and southern Colorado Springs. Little snow accumulation occurred in southern El Paso County and northern Pueblo County into Pueblo, due to a downslope flow. Amounts generally under one foot occurred from southern Pueblo County to the New Mexico border, but blizzard conditions were widespread. Business and school closings were widespread late Thursday and Friday. A band of wet snow occurred east of Pueblo during the afternoon of the 26th and caused problems at a power substation near Boone in eastern Pueblo County. The result was a widespread power outage in southeast Colorado, affecting eastern Pueblo, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers, Baca, and eastern Las Animas Counties. The power outage lasted approximately three hours. A wet snow fell over the southeast plains into the evening hours. In addition to the blizzard conditions, the wet snow caused widespread tree limb damage throughout the eastern part of the area, which caused numerous power outages affecting thousands of households.