The next 48 hours could be the most dangerous for Thanksgiving holiday travel in the Colorado mountains

Traveling during Thanksgiving week in Colorado’s mountain region can be the most dangerous Tuesday and Wednesday evenings a second round of intense snowfall destroys high areas.

Coming on the heels of a winter storm on Sunday, November 24, which brought several inches of snow and resulted in several closures along Interstate 70 icy, windy conditions are expected again beginning early Tuesday morning east of Vail Pass.

It comes as AAA predicts a record number of drivers will descend on roadways across the country over the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Braving the High Country will be a challenge at this time, even for experienced drivers,” said AAA regional spokesperson Skyler McKinley. “If you can adjust your plans to avoid the worst of this perfect storm – where there is a literal storm and heavy travel – then do so.”

The National Weather Service warns of “difficult to impossible” travel conditions sometimes, has issued a winter storm warning for much of the High Country and Western Slope from 3 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Maggie Ideker, the heaviest snowfall is expected to occur Tuesday morning and late into the evening, with wind gusts up to 15 to 25 miles per hour likely. The impact of travel could last throughout Wednesday night, with wind gusts again reaching 22 miles per hour in some mountain areas.

“We really recommend, unless it is essential to travel, not to travel in the mountains from Tuesday morning to Wednesday evening,” Ideker said.

Conditions are expected to be mild east of the foothills, and the Denver metro area is currently free of any storm warnings or advisories.

“We think this will be mostly localized to the mountains,” Ideker said. “We can’t rule out some chances of snow east of the mountains, but those areas won’t be as hard hit.”

By Thursday — Thanksgiving Day — there could be up to 10 to 20 inches of fresh snow on the ground in areas above 10,000 feet, while Thursday itself is expected to be “sunny and clear,” Ideker said.

McKinley recommends Thursday as the safest time for holiday-related travel, adding that while it can be frustrating to postpone plans, “the worst of the snow should be behind us.”

Anyone attempting to travel Tuesday or Wednesday should make sure they take a vehicle that complies with the state’s traction laws, which can be found online at CODOT.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw.

McKinley said all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with winter or all-weather tires or with adequate tread depth will comply. A two-wheel drive car can meet this requirement as long as it has the necessary tread or chains, although McKinley cautioned against driving such a car in this week’s weather.

McKinley said it’s important to feel safe behind the wheel when you’re on the road, and that inexperienced winter drivers should avoid driving altogether. Motorists should allow plenty of time to reach their destination and prepare for delays, accidents and closures. Travelers should also carry cell phone chargers and food in their cars and ensure their vehicle has at least half a tank of gas.

Traffic incidents are likely unavoidable, with McKinley saying: “We will be asking first responders to help motorists during bad weather on difficult roads.”

He reminded motorists to be mindful of the state law requiring all drivers to leave a lane or slow down to at least 30 km/h below the speed limit when encountering a stationary vehicle, especially one with its hazard lights on.

“It’s not a crime to take it easy during mountain conditions in Colorado,” McKinley said.