Winter Storm Warning Extends Through Thursday, Up to 20 Inches Predicted in Colorado Mountains
Updated (2 articles)
Storm Timeline and Multi‑State Coverage The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings on Tuesday, December 3, 2025, lasting through Thursday morning for Colorado, New Mexico, Maine, New Hampshire, and parts of Alaska [1][2]. Colorado and New Mexico face the longest duration, while the Northeast sees moderate snowfall by early Wednesday. Alaska’s eastern regions experience the same storm system with added high‑wind concerns [2].
Snowfall Totals in Colorado Mountains The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are forecast to receive between 8 and 20 inches of snow, with the upper estimate of 17 inches highlighted in the later warning [1][2]. Brian Hurley notes most accumulation will fall west of I‑25, leaving Denver with only light snow. Front‑Range communities such as Fort Collins and Boulder anticipate 5‑11 inches, creating significant blow‑snow potential [2].
Impacts on Travel and Transportation Hazardous travel conditions are expected on major interstates, mountain passes, and the Dalton Highway, prompting road closures and flight delays [1][2]. The NWS advises drivers to delay trips, use extreme caution, and maintain generous following distances. Mountain towns and high‑elevation routes could become impassable due to reduced visibility and icy surfaces [1][2].
Wind and Snow in Other Regions Alaska’s eastern Norton Sound, Nulato Hills, and Middle Yukon Valley face wind gusts up to 45 mph, compounding 4‑5 inches of snow and blowing‑snow hazards [2]. Maine and New Hampshire expect 6‑9 inches, with plowable snow creating moderate travel impacts and low visibility [2]. Colorado’s wind may reach 35 mph, further reducing road safety in exposed areas [2].
Official Guidance and Monitoring Recommendations The NWS urges residents to monitor updates continuously, delay nonessential travel, and exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable [1][2]. Brian Hurley emphasizes that the heaviest snowfall will remain in mountainous terrain, reducing risk for the Denver metro area. Authorities recommend allowing extra travel time and staying informed through local forecasts [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek:Winter Storm Warning Issued for Colorado and New Mexico Until Thursday: Details the extended warning through Thursday, predicts 8‑20 inches in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, warns of hazardous travel, and includes Brian Hurley’s comment on snow distribution .
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2.
Newsweek:Winter Storm Warning: Up to 17 Inches of Snow Across Multiple States: Expands the storm’s reach to Maine, New Hampshire, and Alaska, notes wind gusts up to 45 mph, outlines travel advisories, and stresses monitoring updates .
Timeline
Tue Dec 2, 2025 – A winter storm system moves into the western and northeastern United States, delivering heavy snowfall, ice and high winds across Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire and Alaska, with forecasts of up to 17 inches of snow in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 6‑9 inches in parts of Maine and New Hampshire, and wind gusts up to 45 mph in Alaska [2].
Wed Dec 3, 2025 – The National Weather Service issues a winter storm warning for Colorado and New Mexico lasting until Thursday morning, projecting 8‑20 inches of snow in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 4‑11 inches elsewhere in Colorado and 2‑13 inches across northern New Mexico, and urges travelers to delay trips and exercise extreme caution on mountain passes and interstates [1].
Wed Dec 3, 2025 – NWS forecasters note that Colorado’s high‑elevation areas will receive up to 17 inches of snow from Wednesday morning through Thursday, with wind gusts up to 35 mph causing blowing snow and severely reduced visibility, making travel “very difficult or impossible” in many mountain towns and passes [2].
Wed Dec 3, 2025 – NWS travel advisories for Maine and New Hampshire recommend delaying all travel, maintaining extra following distance and allowing extra time, as 6‑9 inches of plowable snow will create moderate travel impacts and sudden visibility changes [2].
Wed Dec 3, 2025 – In Alaska, the storm is expected to drop up to 5 inches of snow in the eastern Alaska Range and southern Denali Borough, with wind gusts up to 45 mph that could produce blowing snow and hazardous conditions on the Dalton Highway and other routes [2].
Wed Dec 3, 2025 – Meteorologist Brian Hurley explains that most of the snowfall will fall west of I‑25, leaving the Denver metro area with only light snow while mountainous regions into northern New Mexico will see the heaviest accumulations, underscoring the need for extreme caution on travel routes [1].
Thu Dec 4, 2025 (expected) – The winter storm continues to weaken but still poses lingering travel hazards through Thursday morning, with residual snowpack and wind potentially maintaining reduced visibility and slippery roads in the affected mountain corridors [1][2].