Latest Winter Storm Warning Calls for 20 Inches of Snow, 70 Mph Winds
If you thought winter was behind us, think again. This weekend, several new winter storm warnings were issued around the country, including for various portions of Colorado.
The latest update from the National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for over a foot of snow and dangerous winds beginning Monday night and running through Thursday.
Colorado under alert
Snow has been falling throughout Colorado recently, with two feet or more dropping in Steamboat Springs and the Aspen area late last week, according to the Denver Gazette.
On Sunday, the NWS Grand Junction and Denver offices issued concurrent winter storm warnings from 11 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. local time Thursday. Territories listed under the alert include the Grand and Battlement Mesa, West Elk, Gore, Sawatch, Elkhead and Park Mountains and West Jackson and West Grand Counties above 9,000 feet.
Heavy snow is expected, including up to 20 inches in some areas, with wind gusts in the 60-70 mph range.
"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the NWS warning reads. "Blowing snow may result in near zero visibility at times. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage."
Additionally, higher snowfall totals are in the forecast for Colorado's most popular ski resorts over the next few days, according to Snow Brains.
What Colorado cities are under the NWS winter storm warnings?
- Aspen
- Buford
- Coal Bank Pass
- Colorado National Monument
- Columbine
- Crested Butte
- Glade Park
- Hahns Peak Skyway
- Hesperus
- Lake City
- Lizard Head Pass
- Marble
- McClure Pass
- Minturn
- Molas Pass
- Monarch Pass
- Mt. Zirkel
- Ouray
- Red Mountain Mass
- Rico
- Silverton
- Snowmass
- Taylor Park,
- Telluride
- Toponas
- Trappers Lake Ridgway
- Vail
- Vail Pass
How to survive Winter 2026
If you're in the area covered by these winter storm warnings, or are elsewhere with significant snow in the forecast, there are several items to have on hand to make the situation easier.
They include:
- Lined gloves
- Thermal underwear
- A reliable shovel
- Waterproof boots
- An emergency battery
- Space heater
For more information on these things and more and where to find them, Men's Journal has you covered here.