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A severe winter storm is defined as a prolonged event involving snow or ice. The characteristics of severe winter storms are determined by the amount and extent of snow or ice, air temperature, wind, and event duration (National Weather Service, 2009).
All areas of Colorado are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of Colorado’s severe winter weather. Average snowfall is 72 inches or greater in the central (including the Front Range foothills) and western areas of the state (Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2013, p. 3-120). While Colorado blizzards are less frequent and drop less snow in areas further east and north, they can still be devastating. As recently as 1997, several fatalities in northeastern Colorado were directly attributable to an October blizzard that caught many travelers unprepared. Heavy snows in the high mountains are common (p. 3-120).
Heavy snowstorms in the high mountains are common and can lead to avalanches. Each year several lives are lost due to avalanches. Avalanches pose a serious problem to residents, road maintenance crews, and backcountry travelers.
Colorado’s spring flood potential results from melting snow pack at higher elevations. In a year of near-normal snow accumulation in the mountains and normal spring temperatures, river stages become high, but there is no general flooding. In years when snow cover is heavy, or when there is widespread lower elevation snow accumulation and a sudden warming in the spring, there may be higher than normal amounts of runoff that can lead to flooding.
Severe winter storms are a frequent occurrence and a source of major concern throughout Colorado. The combined perils of snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and high winds pose multiple risks, including threats to public safety and the potential to cause major property damage and disruption to commerce. For example, winter storm conditions can threaten transportation safety during the event and result in snow or ice accumulations that can collapse roofs or topple trees. Planners should also be mindful of the impacts that severe winter storms may have on vulnerable populations, especially the homeless or those living in households without heat. There is no simple or universal approach to assessing these risks; however, a variety of data sources and tools are available to assist in the process of understanding the likelihood and potential impact of future storm events on the community.
Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
The Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan is the State’s FEMA-approved plan that serves as a foundation for the State’s program to reduce risks to people, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards. The Plan is administered and updated by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Colorado Climate Center
The Colorado Climate Center is housed in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. It is a source of useful information on natural hazards in Colorado and provides an excellent resource to learn about climate in Colorado.
