The snowstorm has persisted across El Paso County Wednesday, forcing many schools and offices that tried to stay open to close.

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has a winter weather advisory in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday across the Pikes Peak region. The heaviest snowfall was expected to hit at 10 a.m.

Click or tap here for an updated list of school closings and delays along with other closings and adjusted schedules in southern Colorado.

Pikes Peak State College and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs have called off classes at all campuses.

Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base announced two-hour delays for their usual start times.

The Weather Service forecasts snow and patchy fog throughout Wednesday around Colorado Springs, with an expected high temperature of 29 degrees. Snow accumulation ranging from 2-8 inches is forecast in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas, with higher elevations expecting more snow.

The heaviest snowfall was expected in the Pueblo and Colorado Springs region by early to midafternoon, the Weather Service said on social media.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, are expected to be slick and hazardous for commuters throughout the day and into Wednesday evening, according to officials.

There are icy and snow-packed spots along Interstate 25 stretching from Exit 167 in the Woodmoor area to First Street in Pueblo, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation website.

The department expects up to 5.5 inches of new snow accumulation and 20 mph wind gusts along the interstate. Plow trucks have been out consistently clearing the roads.

The city’s full response includes between 40 and 45 snowplow drivers, along with other public works personnel. The plows will focus on clearing the primary arterial roads to keep the major transportation routes open across Colorado Springs. Once those are consistently clear, drivers will move onto the secondary connector roads and any neighborhoods that receive more than 6 inches of snow.

A low temperature of 15 degrees is forecast Wednesday night with snow easing up and decreasing clouds Thursday, with a high of 35.

Click or tap here for traffic updates around Colorado Springs on The Gazette’s interactive map.

Click or tap here for travel updates in the region and state from CDOT.

Click or tap here for flight status updates from the Colorado Springs Airport, which early Wednesday had seen mostly on-time arrivals and departures.

UPDATES:

8 a.m. update: Crashes are being reported

Westbound U.S. 24 at milepost 285 in Woodland Park was briefly closed at around 7:30 a.m. this morning due to a stalled vehicle, according to CDOT.

CDOT reported a crash on I-25 between Exit 150 (North Academy Boulevard) and Exit 151 (Briargate Parkway) as of 8:30 a.m. Expect traffic delays.

More schools are continuing to close ahead of more expected snowfall.

The Colorado Springs Police Department reported at least two other crashes this morning, according to its social media.

9 a.m. update: Road conditions expected to stay the same

The Police Department put Colorado Springs on a crash alert as of 7:25 a.m. due to road conditions, according to its online police blotter website.

“Drivers need to travel at a safe speed for the conditions and leave an increased and safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them. Drivers should use streets and roadways less hazardous in winter driving conditions,” the Police Department said.

Some vehicles are having trouble driving up snow-covered hills, including northbound Austin Bluffs between Farmingdale and Stetson Hills, the Police Department said.

CDOT spokeswoman Austyn Dineen said road conditions are expected to stay the same throughout the day — mostly slushy. The evening commute will be impacted once temperatures start to fall.

Colorado Springs Airport is reporting several flight delays and at least one cancellation. Up north, Denver International Airport was placed under a ground delay from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. Wednesday due to snow and ice, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

All aircraft into DIA were delayed an average of 30 minutes; de-icing crews were spraying all flights leaving the airport. Nearly 300 flights in and out of Denver were delayed, and one was canceled.

Most school districts in Colorado Springs have closed, including districts 11 and 20.

11 a.m update: Winter storm warnings expand

The Weather Service has expanded winter storm warnings to include portions of the San Luis Valley, the Wet Mountains and Walsenburg. Snowfall will be on the higher end of the current forecast range for those areas.

Road conditions in Colorado Springs have remained the same.

Every El Paso County office will close starting at noon, officials announced. The Sheriff’s Office will remain open to ensure public safety.

Noon update: Snowstorm developing as expected

Meteorologist Cameron Simcoe of the Weather Service said the snowstorm seems to be behaving as expected.

“Weather wise, the snow will continue and temps will fall, which may allow for the snow to stick on the roads more than it currently is,” he said.

So far, the Weather Service is recording snow totals of around 2-6 inches across El Paso County. The northern areas have the most snow, but pockets of Colorado Springs, like Old Colorado City, are recording 5 inches.

Some kids have ditched their school clothes for warm winter attire and are out playing in the snow at local parks.

Many public buildings have closed for the day, including El Paso County Combined Courts and the city of Colorado Springs administrative offices. Every school district is now closed.

2 p.m. update: El Paso County says no major complications

Highway Division Manager Tim Stickel of the El Paso County Department of Public Works said there haven’t been any major complications from the snowstorm so far.

“It’s the normal stuff you can expect for wintry conditions in Colorado. I haven’t heard of any major accidents,” he said. “Just make sure you give them snowplows plenty of room. Slow down.”

The county has 25 plow trucks deployed to major roadways. Stickel said residential areas have not been plowed in a while. The county also has 23 road graders for gravel roads.