After a winter storm that has been traveling through the southern part of the country hit the southern Rocky mountains and Texas panhandle, many roads across the region have been left in dicey conditions.
The Tuesday morning commute had a few bumps in the road for Denver, Colorado, after authorities had to close several highway lanes due to icy conditions.
The Denver Post reports that, because of the ice and snow that appeared overnight, traffic speed was very slow on Tuesday morning.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Bowers said Denver received two to four inches of snow on Monday night.
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Snow obscures writing on the side of the mountains above Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as seen from El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. A few inches of snow led to slow starts at schools in El Paso and caused hour-long delays on local roads. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio) |
Even though the snowfall amount was not unusual for the area, the National Weather Service in Boulder, Colorado, put the entire area under winter weather advisory.
“Even though snowfall amounts will be below advisory criteria, [we] will issue an advisory because the snowfall will begin around the evening commute,” the advisory read. “Temperatures will also fall from the upper 20s to around 20 degree[s] between 5 pm and 7 pm. This may cause roads to rapidly become icy.”
The advisory was issued at 3:40 a.m. MST on Monday, Feb. 10, giving residents ample time to prepare for the wintry conditions.
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The Denver Police Department took to Twitter to warn the community of the possible dangers of driving in icy conditions.
“30 minutes into AM rush hour and we’ve only had 6 traffic crash reports and 0 reports of vehicles stolen while running unattended,” they said in one of their many tweets.
Keeping taking things nice & slow out there, #Denver! 30 minutes into AM rush hour and we’ve only had 6 traffic crash reports and 0 reports of vehicles stolen while running unattended. At this rate, by winter’s end, you’ll be snow-driving, puffer-preventing pros! pic.twitter.com/NDbXrGvZ7l
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) February 11, 2020
However, less than two hours later, they sent out an update saying that there has been 46 accident reports since their initial tweet praising Colorado drivers for their cautious driving. They said they “have spoken too soon.”
“It’s still cold and many roads remain snow packed & icy in some areas. Slow things down and allow for extra stopping distance- you’ll be glad you did,” they warned drivers via Twitter.
We may have spoken too soon, #Denver. Since our last traffic crash report update, we’ve added 46 more. It’s still cold and many roads remain snow packed & icy in some areas. Slow things down and allow for extra stopping distance- you’ll be glad you did. #cotraffic pic.twitter.com/2rh2pIGkmn
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) February 11, 2020
The reported accidents are now causing even more road closures and delays.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has also been using Twitter as a platform to alert drivers of potential dangers and delays.
The snow had ended in much of Colorado by Tuesday afternoon, but it was replaced by frigid air with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures dipping as low as minus 13 F in Denver.
The Texas panhandle was also hit with snow from the same system, which Bowers said accumulated around one to three inches.
As a precaution for the wintry weather, many schools, daycares, senior centers, churches and other public spaces and local businesses were closed or delayed, Everything Lubbock reported.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is also warning drivers of slick spots throughout the region.
“While conditions are improving, continue to use caution and drive for the conditions,” they reminded drivers on Twitter.
WINTER WEATHER: @OKDOT crews are treating slick spots and reporting some snow that is clearing on highways in in the panhandle, including Cimarron and Texas Co. While conditions are improving, continue to use caution and drive for the conditions. #okwx https://t.co/0XCQeutYVs
— Oklahoma Department of Transportation (@OKDOT) February 11, 2020
KFDA-TV News reported that crews are working on plowing the area and laying down salt to help remove slick spots.
DriveTexas shows ice and snow patches are present on many roads in the upper panhandle, while areas lower on the panhandle near Lubbock, Texas, report to have “heavy snow accumulation” in some spots. Additionally, travel is discouraged in other spots completely due to the icy conditions.
In New Mexico, the icy roads and delays continue, and KRQE-TV News reports over 200 closings in the Albuquerque area on Tuesday morning.
Bowers said there was about 10 inches of snow just to the east of the city where elevation is higher.
Winter storm warnings remain in effect in the area through Thursday.
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