PHOTOS: Fast-moving storm causes havoc
A fast-moving cold front dumped between 1 and 4 inches of snow across the metro Colorado Springs area Monday.
“It cleared Colorado Springs probably within two to three hours. It went from snowing hard to clear skies,” said Mark Wankowski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo.
But it was enough to cause rush-hour havoc.
Colorado Springs police and the Colorado State Patrol reported numerous crashes on slick roads and in white-out conditions in some areas.
Click here for Tuesday morning’s weather update and local snowfall totals.
Heavier snow hit the central mountains and caused significant traffic problems on Interstate 70, which was closed for a while Monday afternoon after more than 50 vehicles were involved in crashes. The Denver Post reported that several people were taken to hospitals, including one person in serious condition.
The storm dumped more than a foot of snow in some mountain areas.
Colorado Springs police went on accident alert shortly after 3 p.m., city, county and state plows were called out, and some organizations canceled evening activities. But the storm moved out as quickly as it moved in, and forecasters say the snow is gone for now.
The forecast calls for clear skies and highs in the 40s Tuesday and highs in the 50s and 60s Wednesday and Thursday.
“This is a typical spring pattern in Colorado. One day it could be in the 70s and the next day it’ll be a blizzard,” Wankowski said.
Members of the Fountain-Fort Carson honor guard freshman Brianna Fort, center, and junior Zechariah Vislockty take down the flag after school during an unexpectedly strong snow storm that hit the region late in the afternoon Monday, March 4, 2013. Photo by MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE
Fountain-Fort Carson students make a run for home after an unexpectedly strong snow storm hit the region late in the afternoon Monday, March 4, 2013. Photo by MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE
Left to right: Claudia Vera, Rosario Gonzalez and Maria Trillo wait under an overhang outside of the Mountain Man Nut and Fruit Company in the 2500 block of West Colorado Ave. to get out of the snow Monday afternoon, Mar. 4, 2013. There is a chance of sno Photo by CAROL LAWRENCE, THE GAZETTE