Live updates: Storm brings 8 to 12 inches of snow to Denver metro area

DENVER – A storm is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of snow along the Front Range starting Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for most of the area into Thursday morning, with up to 8 inches of snow forecast for the foothills, 6-10 inches for Denver metro and 6-8 inches expected for the Palmer Divide area.

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The National Weather Service said the heaviest snow will likely fall Wednesday night before it tapers off overnight into Thursday morning, but Thursday morning’s commute is expected to be tough, with slick and snowpacked roads.

NWS Boulder Twitter

We’ll be updating this live blog with the latest updates on forecasts, current conditions and road conditions throughout the storm. You can also find the latest weather information on the Denver7 weather page and by watching the 24/7 Denver7 Weather live stream on our website, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire streaming apps.

Below, you can find the latest as snow falls across the Front Range. Refresh the page for the latest updates (All times Mountain):

Thursday, Feb. 25

6:27 a.m. | Denver Zoo closed

The Denver Zoo is closed today due to the snow.

6:15 a.m. | Sheridan Boulevard closed for power pole fix

Sheridan Boulevard has closed near 52nd Avenue near Willis Case Golf Course for crews to fix a power pole.

4:55 a.m. | Lane recognition difficult on many streets

The lines in the road are difficult, if not impossible, to see this morning. Remember to drive slow and give other drivers space. If you must drive today, check our traffic map to ensure you can grab what you need and get back to a safe place.

4:09 a.m. | Commercial vehicle chain law for I-25 south of Castle Rock

CDOT says there is now a chain law for I-25 south of Castle Rock, from southbound Tomah Road to Monument, or milemarker 174-163.

4 a.m. | Several changes to schools' schedules overnight

Several school districts have decided to go full remote on Thursday. To see our full list of closures and delays (and some full cancellations), click here.

12:44 a.m. | Colo. 93 reopens from Golden to Boulder

Colo. 93, which closed between Colo. 72 and 64th Avenue late Wednesday, has reopened between Boulder and Golden.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

11:46 p.m. | I-70 blocked near Lookout exit due to truck without chains

A truck driver without chains is blocking I-70 near the Lookout exit.

11:37 p.m. | Southbound Wadsworth Boulevard closed from I-70 to 44th Avenue

"Extremely slick conditions" have led to a closure on southbound Wadsworth Boulevard from I-70 to 44th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, according to Wheat Ridge Police Department.

11:32 p.m. | Colo. 93 closed between Colo. 72 and 64th Avenue

Colo. 93 is being closed from Colo. 72 and 64th Avenue between Golden and Boulder due to extreme weather conditiosn, according Colorado State Police (CSP).

Multiple vehicles are stranded. CSP Golden did not have and estimate time it would reopen.

10:31 p.m. | DPS switches to remote learning due to winter weather, poor travel conditions

Denver Public Schools will have a 100% remote live instruction synchronous learning day on a two-hour delay for all staff and students Feb. 25.

ECE classes and food distribution are canceled. Parents can find more details on the change here.

10:25 p.m. | NWS upgrades Metro Denver to Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service (NWS) Boulder upgraded the Denver metro area to a Winter Storm Warning.

NWS said totals in the Denver metro are expected to be 6 to 10 inches, with the potential for heavier amounts in some areas. Snowfall rates are up to 2 inches per hour, which is expected to gradually decrease overnight.

10:12 p.m. | Adams County Sheriff's Office HQ delaying opening Thursday

Adams County Sheriff Reigenborn announced the Sheriff's Office HQ will delay opening until 10 a.m. Thursday due to inclement weather.

The vaccination clinic at the Government Center will open at 8:30 a.m.

10:10 p.m. | Denver on accident alert

The City of Denver is on accident alert due to weather conditions.

10:04 p.m. | Kipling reopens in Wheat Ridge

Wheat Ridge Police said Kipling Street between 32nd and 38th avenues has reopened, but roads remain slick.

Police said there were multiple spin outs on Kipling and, at one point, a firetruck make it out.

The area has since been cleared, but police say CDOT plows are struggling to keep up.

9:52 p.m. | Castle Rock, Centennial under accident alert

Castle Rock Police Department says an accident alert is in effect in the town. Minor accidents can be reported on Castle Rock's website.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office also announced an accident alert for Centennial. Accident reports can be filed here.

9:49 p.m. | Commercial chain laws in effect across Front Range, mountains

Multiple commercial vehicle chain laws are in effect across the Front Range and into the mountains. Find the latest from CDOT here.

9:44 p.m. | Jeffco offices and courts will delay opening Thursday

Jefferson County says it's delaying opening county offices and courts until 10 a.m. Thursday due to inclement weather.

The county advises anyone planning to visit offices to check with the department before heading out. For more information, click here.

8:39 p.m. | Kipling shut down from 32nd to 38th due to weather conditions

Wheat Ridge Police Department said Kipling Street is shut down from 32nd Avenue to 38th Avenue due to winter weather conditions.

The department said Wheat Ridge is on accident alert.

8:35 p.m. | Jeffco Public Schools switches to-all remote learning day Thursday

Jeffco Public Schools will conduct an all-remote learning day for all students Thursday due to weather and road conditions.

School buildings will be closed, and all students will learn remotely. Childcare programs will also be closed. All in-person after-school activities are canceled.

8:30 p.m. | Some Denver COVID-19 testing centers will open late Thursday due to weather

The City and County of Denver said Wednesday multiple testing locations will open later Thursday due to weather.

All Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) testing locations will open at 12 p.m. Feb. 25, which includes Pacho Sanchez, GVR Pool, Denver DHS East and Ruby Hill.

To find testing locations, visit here.

8:17 p.m. | Douglas County under accident alert

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the county is under accident alert. Minor accident reports can be submitted on their website.

7:51 p.m. | Broomfield under accident alert

The City and County of Broomfield is under an accident alert due to winter weather. Anyone involved in a minor accident is asked to file an accident report online.

7:03 p.m. | CSP issues accident alert for several areas

Colorado State Police (CSP) has placed unincorporated areas in several counties on accident alert:

• Boulder
• Jefferson
• Gilpin
• Clear Creek
• Western Adams

The Boulder Police Department said the City of Boulder is also under accident alert.

CSP issues accident alerts during severe weather conditions when troopers and officers can't respond to the large volume of crashes that occur. If a crash occurs in a county under an accident alert and the people involved are not hurt and vehicles can be driven, drivers should exchange information and file the minor crash online from home using CSP's website.

Law enforcement will respond to a crash in an area under accident alert if:

• Vehicles are disabled due to damage

• Accident involves a fatality or an injury requiring medical attention
• Alcohol or drugs are involved
• Accident is an alleged hit and run.
• There is damage to public property other than wildlife, i.e. a highway guardrail

6:54 p.m. | Morrison Police seeing deteriorating road conditions

The Morrison Police Department said visibility is limited on the roads due to blowing snows.

6:50 p.m. | CDOT advises drivers to stay off the roads

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is reminding drivers to avoid the roads, if possible, during Wednesday night’s winter weather.

CDOT is anticipating the heaviest snowfall in the foothills, with four to eight inches falling overnight. It expects roads to become icy and snowpacked by Wednesday evening and into the morning, with areas along the I-70 corridor from the Denver area up to the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels and I-25 between Fort Collins and Trinidad to be hard hit.

CDOT reminds drivers road closures could happen, particularly along I-25 between south of Denver and north of Colorado Springs in the Monument Hill area, which is a construction zone.

If drivers must be on the road, CDOT suggests having an emergency kit with battery cables, extra food and water, blankets and other emergency supplies.
CDOT also says it’s important drivers don’t pass plows because it’s not only extremely dangerous, but also a traffic offense to pass snowplows operated by a state, county or local agency while their lights are displayed and operating in tandem formation with other snowplows. Drivers should stay three to four car lengths back from snowplows.

CDOT also implements the Traction Law when required during winter weather conditions. For more information, click here.

4:55 p.m. | Latest snowfall forecast from NWS

The latest forecast snowfall graphic from the National Weather Service shows Denver getting 4-6 inches, Boulder, Castle Rock and Evergreen receiving about 6-8 inches of snow, with 8-12 inches at higher elevations.

Fort Collins and Colorado Springs should also see 4-6 inches of snow, while the Palmer Divide is looking at 2-6 inches as well, depending on elevation.

4:09 p.m. | CSP predicting difficult travel conditions

Colorado State Patrol is preparing for the incoming snow storm, warning drivers that both I-25 and I-70 will likely see difficult travel conditions tonight and Thursday morning because of the snow.

CSP said it expects CMV chain laws and passenger vehicle traction laws to be put in place from Golden to Idaho Springs on I-70 and for I-25 south of Castle Rock.