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Official News Release

State Of Emergency Declared

Thursday, December 21st - State Of Emergency Declared...

The City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins and Larimer County are issuing proclamations declaring local state of emergency situations as a result of the snowstorm. 

Northern Colorado residents are strongly encouraged to stay home and avoid vehicular travel. Local officials have emphasized the importance of keeping roadways uncluttered and passable for emergency services vehicles and street crews. Some abandoned vehicles already block travel lanes and roadways, making travel difficult and dangerous.

Vehicles blocking traffic lanes may be towed. Loveland Assistant City Manager Renee Wheeler stressed that if at all possible, residents should not try to travel by car until the situation improves. 

“We very much appreciate the fact that people need to get to work and that it’s also an important time for both holiday shoppers and merchants. But for the benefit of residents for whom transportation may be critical, we ask that people remain home and keep their cars off the streets. Fire trucks, police cars and ambulances can reach destinations faster and snow plows can be far more efficient if non-essential traffic is not present,” Wheeler said. 

Updated information will continue to be provided to Loveland residents by cable TV channel 16, 1610 AM radio and the City’s web site at www.cityofloveland.org. Individuals seeking information on their vehicles that have been abandoned or may have been towed may call the Loveland Police Department at 667-2151.


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5ft Snow Drift outside SMN Office

5ft Snow Drift outside SMN Office

State-wide Snow Day...

Government offices, schools and numerous businesses across Colorado are closed today with many people getting a snow-day, courtesy of yesterday's snowstorm. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until noon.

Governor Bill Owens on Wednesday declared a State Of Emergency. The Colorado State Patrol is urging people to stay home and not attempt travel today. As of 6AM MST, every major road in and out of Colorado, including interstate highways, is closed. DIA and other airports are also closed.

Yesterday's winter storm. now dubbed the "Holiday Blizzard", dumped nearly two feet of snow across the region with drifts up to six feet being reported in the Storm Mountain area. While blowing and drifting has made accurate measurements difficult, we estimate that the Storm Mountain area has received an average of between 20 and 24 inches so far.

Travel on area roads is reported as extremely difficult to impossible. Area residents are advised to stay home today. If you must travel, carry a "Winter Survival Kit" with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

The complete text of the official warnings for our area, in effect until noon today, can be found via the links provided below.

Winter Storm Warning

Blizzard Warning



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View outside SMN at 9:30AM

View outside SMN at 9:30AM

Wednesday, December 20th - Heavy Snow Today...

A large and potent winter storm is now moving into the area with snow totals now predicted in the 1 to 3 feet in our immediate area. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 12PM MST on Thursday.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect for the majority of eastern Colorado from the I-25 urban corridor to the Kansas border. The majority of schools along and east of the I-25 urban corridor are "closed". Thompson Valley and Estes Park schools are being reported as open.

Area residents are advised to be prepared for difficult to impossible driving conditions, particularly on rural roads, beginning this morning and continuing through Friday morning. It is also advised that travelers check local media outlets before departing for information on road closures, flight delays, etc...

This is a major winter storm and proper precautions should be taken! If you must travel, carry a "Winter Survival Kit" with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

The complete text of the official warnings for our area can be found via the links provided below.

Winter Storm Warning

Blizzard Warning



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Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning

Tuesday, December 19th - Winter Storm Warning...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the majority of Colorado, including the Drake, Glen Haven and Storm Mountain areas, in effect from 6AM MST Wednesday  through 5PM MST on Thursday.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING WITH WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL COMMENCING OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. THIS WILL CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY WITH TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 12 TO 24 INCHES. NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH ARE EXPECTED BY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. 

REMEMBER, A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

The complete text of this official weather warning can be found via the link provided below.

Winter Storm Warning

 


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Winter Storm Watch.

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch...

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the majority of our area, including the Drake, Glen Haven and Storm Mountain areas, in effect from early Wednesday morning through late Wednesday night.

A significant Winter storm is now taking aim on northeast and north-central Colorado. An area of snowfall will begin in advance of the storm today. As the storm approaches snow will increase with a high possibility of heavy snowfall in northeastern Colorado and along the I-25 urban corridor. Current models are predicting accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in the watch area.

In addition, strong northerly winds will increase with gusts up to 40mph possible. This may produce blowing and drifting snow making travel extremely difficult to impossible in some areas. 

Residents are advised to stay tuned to local media outlets for the latest information including any warnings or advisories associated with this very potent winter storm. Be prepared for winter driving conditions beginning late today and continuing through Thursday morning.

The complete text of this official watch can be found via the link provided below.

Winter Storm Watch



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A Snowy Highway 34 on Sunday afternoon.

A Snowy Highway 34 on Sunday afternoon.

Monday, December 18th - Slippery Start To The Day...

Commuters across the area are starting their day today with a slippery ride to work or school as yesterday's snowstorm has left the majority of area roads snow-packed and icy.

Residents are advised to use caution this morning if traveling and to allow extra time to get to their destinations. Highway 34 is reported as snow-packed with icy spots. Chains, adequate snow-tires and 4WD are highly recommended on rural roads. CR 41H, Storm Mountain Drive. is reported as very slippery in spots with icing in the usual areas.

Winter driving conditions are expected to continue throughout the week with another system expected to bring more snow and cold to our area mid-week. No weather watches, warnings or advisories are currently in effect for our immediate area.



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Northern Lights over Lake Estes on Thursday evening.

Northern Lights over Lake Estes on
Thursday evening.

Sunday, December 17th - Photo Of The Week...

This week's photo features a view of the beautiful display of the Aurora Borealis, commonly called the Northern Lights, as seen over Lake Estes on the evening of Thursday, December 14th.

This display of the Aurora Borealis started around sunset and continued for about an hour. An intense green glow was seen on the northern horizon with curtains of red and purple rising high into the sky.

Auroras are somewhat uncommon in our area due to our more southern latitude. However, strong geomagnetic storms like the one on Thursday evening, can sometimes send auroras as far south as Arizona.



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Northern Lights over Storm Mountain on Thursday evening.

Northern Lights over Storm Mountain on
Thursday evening.

Friday, December 15th - Aurora Alert Continues...

A second large eruption of sunspot 930 has possibly sent another CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) towards Earth. If so, it should arrive on December 16th, re-energizing geomagnetic and auroral activity.

On Thursday evening a superb display was reported across the United States and Canada, with Northern Lights reaching well into our local area. Between 6PM and 7PM last night beautiful greens and deep magenta reds could be seen from Estes Park to Loveland.

Sky-watchers are advised to stay alert tonight for more auroras beginning at sunset. The best photos can be obtained by using a 30 second exposure and a fast speed film or ISO setting. The Geminids are still active also, with several large meteors reported during the Northern Lights display on Thursday evening.

Complete information on upcoming auroral displays, as well as many photos of last nights Northern Lights, can be found by visiting www.spaceweather.com .


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