Rain before 9 p.m. Wednesday will turn into snow after 11 p.m. and may dump up to 16 inches of the white stuff in the metro Denver area, prompting the Colorado Department of Transportation to urge motorists to avoid travel during the storm. 

Road conditions are forecast to be “treacherous,” according to a CDOT news release.

Even though roads may be warm — melting some fallen snow — a heavy amount of precipitation will fall, compromising visibility for drivers. Up to two feet of snow could fall in some areas, and may “bury” the Interstate 70 corridor from Golden to Vail and Interstate 25 from Denver to Northen Colorado Springs. 

U.S. Highway 285 from Highway C-470 to Fairplay will also see significant snowfall, a CDOT press release said. 

“Warmer spring weather leading up to the storm also means that melting snow will freeze at night and contribute to slick conditions for travelers,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in the release. “It’s best to avoid driving on the roads during the height of the snow storm.”

The worst of the storm is expected to begin late Wednesday and last through Friday, according to the National Weather Service and previous Denver Gazette reporting. Though CDOT vehicles will be out and about, making war with the fresh powder on roads, drivers are advised to plan for delays if they must travel as those vehicles make the road safe for the general public. 

In the high country, the storm is expected to elevate avalanche risks on mountain passes like Loveland, Berthoud, possibly the West Loop Road, the Vail Narrows by I-70, the Grand Mesa and Monarch Pass. Motorists should prepare for safety closures as CDOT and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center conduct avalanche mitigation operations, advising backcountry users to avoid those areas. 

“The state’s emergency operations center is tracking this storm and will be prepared to offer additional support throughout this event,” Colorado Department of Public Safety Executive Director Stan Hilkey said. “In addition, we are ready to direct resources to support any local needs that arise as conditions become more challenging.”

Though CDOT plows will be out and about, their focus will be on the highways and other major roadways until the storm subsides. Only then will their focus shift to smaller, state-maintained roads that have lower traffic volumes. 

If drivers must be out during the storm, CDOT advises they use COTRIP, the department’s live road and conditions map. Col. Matthew C Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, also reminded residents to slow down during the storm and remember the state traction law. 

“According to Colorado’s traction and chain law, all vehicles need to be prepared with adequate tires and equipment when traveling,” he said. “If carrying chains or checking your tire tread seems like a hassle, imagine the inconvenience of being unable to climb up a pass or come to a stop on the other side, causing a crash.”

Drivers should be prepared for the chance of closures and pack extra blankets, clothing, food, water and entertainment. Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be working diligently to clear the roadways of snow and ice until the roads are clear.

Denver Public Schools closed Thursday

Denver Public Schools announced Wednesday afternoon that they’ll be closed Thursday due to a forecasted winter storm.

DPS was the first large Colorado school district to announce a closure for Thursday. Several city governments and other agencies have also announced they’ll be closed.

For a full list of closures, visit The Denver Gazette’s news partners 9NEWS.com. 

Central City Opera event postponed

The Central City Opera, an opera company in Wheat Ridge, postponed its annual season “teaser” originally planned for Thursday. The company also planned on introducing its new artistic director, Alison Moritz, to members for the first time during the event.

The event will now be held at the Wellshire Event Center in Denver on April 12. Tickets are available at blackbaud.com.

In other theater news, the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, south of Loveland, canceled Thursday night’s performance of “Crazy for You.”

“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our patrons and staff, we have decided to cancel the performance of Crazy For You on Thursday, March 14, 2024 due to the severity of the impending winter storm,” according to its website. “If you have reservations for this performance, a box office agent will be reaching out to you about rescheduling options. The building will be closed on Thursday, 3/14, but our box office will be available by phone. Thank you for your understanding and stay warm!”

Rocky Mountain National Park east-side road closures

“Due to a forecasted significant winter storm resulting in difficult to nearly impossible travel, park staff will be preemptively closing inbound vehicle access on the park’s east side roads,” according to a news release Wednesday afternoon.

The closures begin at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday for inbound traffic on Trail Ridge Road at Beaver Meadows and Fall River Entrances. Bear Lake Road and Wild Basin Road on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park will also be closing to vehicle access, according to park officials.

“The main impacts of this storm are forecast for east of the Continental Divide. Trail Ridge Road on the west of the park remains open to the Colorado River Trailhead.”

Aurora Municipal Court and Municipal Center closed Thursday

Probation appointments will be virtual and most Aurora Municipal Center services will still be available virtually.

More information about Aurora closures due to weather can be found on the city’s cancellations and closures blog. 

CDOT provided a summary of statewide impacts of the storm: 

Denver Region

The storm will start out as rain Wednesday afternoon and transition to snow by Wednesday night, with heavy wet snow expected through early Friday. Travel conditions will be especially difficult on Thursday, with 8 to 16 inches of snow forecast for the I-25 corridor. There will be snow packed roads with large amounts of snow built up on the ramps and shoulders throughout the region.

Northeast Colorado

The North I-25 corridor to Wyoming is expected to start being impacted Wednesday evening. Total accumulations and snowfall rates look like roadways will be severely impacted through Thursday night. Northern mountains are looking to get hit hard also. Cameron Pass is expected to get 21 to 34 inches. Expect road closures and/or snow-packed roads.

I-70 mountain corridor from Golden to Vail

Motorists should be prepared for heavy snow and other winter driving conditions along the I-70 corridor, US 40 Berthoud Pass, US 40 Rabbit Ears Pass as well as CO 133 McClure Pass and CO 65 Grand Mesa. Safety closures and delays may be necessary for crews to safely conduct winter maintenance operations on these and other mountain passes in Northwest Colorado.

Southeast Colorado

Heavy snow showers are expected late Wednesday through Thursday evening, especially along the I-25 corridor. Northern El Paso and Teller counties and areas south and west of Pueblo will see the most significant snow impacts. Motorists will encounter difficult road and weather conditions and should be prepared for safety closures needed for adverse conditions.

Southwest Colorado

Steady snow showers are expected through the week and weekend for southwest and south-central mountains including the Sawatch, San Juan, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Motorists driving in the high country will encounter difficult road and weather conditions. Travelers should also be prepared for safety closures needed for adverse conditions or winter maintenance operations.

Other weather tips

CDOT also offered the following safe driving tips for the storm: 

• Avoid or limit driving during the brunt of the storm on Thursday.
• Work from home if you can.
• If you plan to travel, know before you go by checking out the latest weather conditions and visiting COtrip.org for road conditions (see info sources below).
• Make sure your vehicle is winter ready with the appropriate tires for the weather and have a snow emergency kit.
• Once you are out on the road, take it slow, no sudden stops and leave plenty of following distance.
• Give plows space! Stay back three to four car lengths from snow plows.

American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado also released a list of safety tips for both driving in the snow and potential power outages. 

According to the nonprofit, drivers should make sure their gas tanks are full and their headlights are clean before taking off. They also recommend that drivers do not use cruise control options while driving through the winter conditions.

Regarding potential power outages, they recommend unplugging appliances if a power outage occurs, for the surge when the power kicks back on could cause damages. 

If a power outage only lasts two hours, perishable food should remain fine. If the outage lasts longer, fill a cooler with ice from the freezer and place perishable food in it.

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or another particularly enclosed area, according to the news release.

RTD urges travelers to be patient Thursday

Regional Transportation District officials prepped for the impending snowstorm Wednesday and urged customers to “plan ahead and expect delays and slower travel times if conditions become adverse.”

“Trains and bus operations could face treacherous travel conditions if the metro area receives the snow amounts predicted,” according to the news release.

Here’s what to expect from RTD Thursday: 

Rail Operations:

• Light Rail Operations will monitor conditions and run “sweep trains” only if needed to keep the overhead wires from icing up.
• Light rail steps are heated to avoid ice and snow build-up.
• Crews will exercise track switches as needed so they do not freeze.
• Pantographs, the equipment that connects the train to the overhead wires, have heated connection to the overhead wire, that helps mitigate the ice on the wires.
• Vehicle maintenance teams will have mechanics staged in case there are mechanical issues.
• Crews will verify all track switch heaters operate and function as intended.
• Crews will verify gate heaters, and house heaters are on and functional.
• Crews will install water repellent to crossing gate arms, signals lenses and flashers.
• Crews will be on trains and on rail network inspecting track and wire prepared to make repairs as necessary.

Bus Operations and FlexRide:

• Bus operators undergo annual refresher training for driving in snow and ice.
• Bus operators are trained on how to put chains on tires.
• Additional street supervisors are on the system to ensure that stuck buses and accidents due to weather are addressed quickly, and they can monitor bus stops for customers. Supervisors will monitor for impacts due to ice and cold.
• RTD buses are navigating through the same traffic and road conditions as personal vehicles, so customers are asked to be patient and leave as early as possible for their destination.

Access-a-Ride

• Bus operators undergo annual refresher training for driving in snow and ice.
• Additional street supervisors are on the system to ensure that stuck buses and accidents due to weather are addressed quickly; supervisors will monitor for impacts due to ice and cold.
• RTD vehicles are navigating through the same traffic and road conditions as personal vehicles, so customers are asked to be patient and leave as early as possible for their destinations.

Facilities:

• Crews monitor the situation and will be out clearing crossings and walks as necessary.
• Customers should watch for ice when boarding vehicles as wet shoes can create icy conditions on vehicle steps and in aisles.

Denver Plowing:

• Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure plans to operate 50 big snow plows and 36 residential plows during the storm, according to a department news release.
• The big plows, which uses deicer, are scheduled to be deployed when snow starts to fall. Residential snow plows plan to be deployed at 3 a.m., according to DOTI.
• DOTI insisted property owners shovel consistently, especially on ADA ramps.

9NEWS contributed to this story, which is developing.