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Snowstorm returning to Rockies this week

Potential impacts for truckers on I-70

(Photo: Colorado DOT)

Truckers will have to chain up the next couple of days in the Rockies as the next snowstorm cranks up.

Light to moderate snow began Monday night in high elevations from western Montana to northern Colorado and will get heavier Tuesday. Lower elevations have likely seen wet snow or a snow-rain mix, which will also intensify.

(Map: FreightWaves SONAR Critical Events and radar, Nov. 2, 2021, 8 a.m. ET. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.)

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for north-central Colorado and areas south of Interstate 80 in southern Wyoming. Through midmorning Wednesday, look for snow totals 6 to 12 inches in places such as Columbine, Vail, Rabbit Ears Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, as well as the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges in Wyoming.

Locally higher amounts are possible and the biggest accumulations will hit areas above 8,000 feet in elevation. Winds could produce blowing snow and reduced visibility in some spots, but whiteout conditions are not likely.


Areas of snow and rain from this storm could spread into the Plains, impacting parts of Nebraska, Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Major lane of concern

• Interstate 70 in Colorado from Dowds Junction to Silver Plume.

Other areas of snow

The NWS has also posted winter weather advisories in sections of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern lower Michigan. Up to 4 inches of lake-effect snow could pile up Tuesday in places like Grand Marais, Ironwood and Gaylord.

Major lane of concern

• Interstate 75 in Michigan from Grayling to just north of Gaylord.


Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Nick Austin.

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Nick Austin

Nick is a meteorologist with 20 years of forecasting and broadcasting experience. He was nominated for a Midsouth Emmy for his coverage during a 2008 western Tennessee tornado outbreak. He received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Tech. Nick is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. As a member of the weather team at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, Nick was nominated for a Mid-South Emmy for live coverage of a major tornado outbreak in February 2008. As part of the weather team at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick shared the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of the Best award for “Best Weather Team” eight consecutive years.