Stranded travelers are finally moving again on portions of I-70 between Silverthorne and Denver.
Starting around noon today Colorado State Patrol opened segments of I-70 for semi-trucks only. Hundreds of them were parked on ramps and roadsides between Silverthorne and Morrison, waiting out the storm.
Ninety miles of I-70 will remain closed to commercial vehicles until noon on Friday, March 15, according to CDOT, from the Morrison exit east to the Vail area west. It has been a frustrating 24 hours for anyone traveling east or south. Last night, a Summit Stage bus slid off Hoosier Pass between Alma and Blue River. No one was injured.
This morning two semi-trucks were stalled at the first big switchback just south of Blue River, at the headlight house. They are gone now.
Snow has been falling almost all day in the foothills and the Denver metro area. The deepest snow hammered areas between Georgetown and Genesee: 33 inches in Nederland, 36 inches in Rollinsville and Conifer, over 38 inches just north of Central City.
Red for avy danger
A special avalanche warning will be good through tomorrow afternoon, Friday, March 15, from Summit County east into Berthoud Pass and the foothills.
Here is the Colorado Avalanche Information Center:
“Dense snow falling rapidly, and strong easterly winds are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Expect many avalanches to break within storm snow. Some avalanches will break on deeper weak layers and propagate widely across terrain. These avalanches may run long distances or to valley floors. Many will run naturally. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended at this time.”
Avalanche danger here in Summit County and on the Continental Divide Will likely be high tomorrow, Friday, March 15, at all elevations, and considerable from Copper west into Vail.
A-Basin… might open?
Arapahoe Basin never did open today after 15 inches of fresh snow.
And they’re hoping to open tomorrow.
On Instagram they are pleading with skiers and riders: “Please do not attempt to come to A-Basin until we post an all clear.”
Loveland Ski Area was also closed today. They too are hoping to reopen tomorrow.