Winter in Colorado: Everything you need to know 2022

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by: Dara Bitler

Posted: Nov 3, 2022 / 11:23 AM MDT

Updated: Nov 3, 2022 / 11:27 AM MDT

DENVER (KDVR) — Winter weather will impact the lives of Coloradans over the next several months. From the forecast to road conditions to school closings and more, we have all the information to keep you safe this season.

We have put together this complete winter guide to help you with everything you might need this season.

Whether you have plans to be outside or you just want to stay on top of the forecast, we have you covered.

We have several different radars on our website, which can be used no matter where you are.

You can also download the Pinpoint Weather App for free.

Here's what the app includes:

If winter alert is issued for your area, whether it is a blizzard watch or warning, winter weather advisor or winter storm warning, it will always show up at the top of the FOX31 website. You can see all weather alerts here.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a winter weather advisory is issued for one or more of the following conditions:

NOAA says a winter storm warning is issued for the following conditions:

The Colorado Department of Transportation has a travel website. You can download the app in the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Here are the features, according to CDOT:

Motorists can use the map as they would any Google map and click on the icons for more information. Icons are displayed on the map by checking or unchecking the boxes in the layers toolbar. Layers available and what data they provide are described here.

The Trucker Mode features resources specific to commercial motor vehicle operators, including the following layers defined here.

Motorists can log-in in or sign up here for their own COtrip account to subscribe and manage their travel alerts. They can also save their favorite routes and cameras, and customize their travel preferences.

Colorado's traction law is in effect Sept. 1 through May 31 on Interstate 70 from Dotsero to Morrison.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, these are the rules:

During an active Traction Law, drivers must have one of these:

The legislation, which was put in place in August 2020, is aimed at drivers using state highways during winter months.

Specifically, it changed the required minimum tire tread for vehicles on snowy roads to 3/16 of an inch. Under the statute, minimum tire tread for dry roads is still 2/16 of an inch.

Motorists can also install chains or an alternative traction device to be in compliance with the law if your tires aren't adequate.

During severe winter storms, CDOT will implement a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law. This is the final safety measure before the highway is closed.

When the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law is in effect, every vehicle on the roadway must have chains or an alternative traction device, like an AutoSock.

Drivers in violation of the law could be slapped with fines of more than $130. If a vehicle blocks the road because it lacks proper equipment, the motorist could face a fine of more than $650.

CDOT serves as a useful resource for staying safe and in compliance with the laws during winter driving.

AAA Colorado said it's important to have an emergency kit in your vehicle during the winter:

CDOT has a plow-tracking website that provides updates on plows’ current locations. The plow-tracking tool can be found on the CDOT website.

If you’re looking for school closings and delays, you can find them here.

The Problem Solver's scoured the internet and read through numerous reviews to put together this comprehensive list.

"No more heavy lifting with a traditional shovel! No more aching back! Shovelution greatly reduces the effort, strain and potential injury involved in shoveling, using the powerful muscles of your upper body to do the lifting and throwing, and sending lifting leverage to the lower hand – to reduce back strain by up to 30%, so you can lift more, and throw farther," the website states.

"The number 1 feature of The SnowPlow Snow Pusher is our UHMW Polyethylene blade. This material is the highest wearing, impact resistant, cold weather adaptable material available. It is high-end and highly respected. Others have tried to develop and compete with inferior materials and will acknowledge our product's superiority," the website touts.

Here are some of the most reviewed and highest rated snow shovels on Amazon.

These are some of the top rated snow shovels at Home Depot.

Here are some of the top rated snow shovels at Lowe's.

Here are some of the top rated snow shovels at Walmart.

Here are some of the top rated snow shovels at Ace Hardware.

If you are planning a trip to the mountains to shred some fresh powder or you just want to see some of the beautiful landscape of Colorado, we have you covered.

Arapahoe Basin has a variety of cameras from the summit to mid-mountain and even a snow stake showing total snow.

See the Arapahoe Basin webcams here.

From panoramic views to a snow stake and even the gondola line, you can see a variety of angles from Aspen Snowmass.

See the Aspen Snowmass webcams here.

There are several angles you can see at Beaver Creek, and they are updated throughout the day. From a snow stake with a timelapse feature to views from Arrowhead Village and Bachelor Gulch.

See the Beaver Creek mountain cameras here.

Breckenridge has a camera showing Peak 6 and the snow stake with a timelapse.

See the Breckenridge mountain cameras here.

From a snow stake to panoramic mountain views, there are multiple angles to see live at Buttermilk Mountain.

See the live cameras at Buttermilk Mountain here.

There are six different mountain cameras on Copper Mountain showing a variety of angels and locations on the mountain.

See the Copper Mountain web cameras here.

Crested Butte has multiple cameras on the mountain, including a pow cam and snow stake.

You can see the Crested Butte mountain cameras here.

Eldora has a snow stake camera that you can watch live or take a look back at the last snow.

See the Eldora camera here.

Granby Ranch has a base camera so you can see how much snow is currently on the mountain.

See the Granby Ranch web camera here.

There is one live camera from Hesperus Lodge.

You can see the live mountain camera from Hesperus here.

Keystone Ski Resort has five different cameras showing a variety of angles of the resort.

You can see the Keystone Ski Resort cameras here.

From a snow stake camera to base cameras and views from chair 9, Loveland Ski Area has a variety of views from web cameras.

You can see the mountain cameras from Loveland Ski Area here.

Monarch Mountain has a pair of cameras that show different snow conditions during the season.

You can see the web cameras at Monarch Mountain here.

There are a pair of live cameras at Powderhorn showing the base area and the snow stake.

You can see the live cameras at Powederhorn here.

Purgatory Resort has several cameras showing angles from the village to the base to the snow stake.

You can see the mountain cameras from Purgatory Resort here.

Ski Cooper has a pair of web cameras. One shows the snow stake and the other shows the top of the mountain.

You can see the cameras from Ski Cooper here.

Steamboat has five different cameras showing different parts of the mountain. From the snow stake to mid-mountain to the base area and more.

You can watch live cameras from Steamboat here.

Sunlight Mountain Resort has a live snow camera that shows current conditions and temperatures.

You can see the Sunlight web camera here.

Telluride has a pair of cameras showing the terrain park and the village.

You can see the cameras from Telluride here.

You can see a variety of views from Vail, including the snow stake and back bowls.

See the live cameras at Vail here.

Winter Park Resort has six different cameras showing conditions on the mountain and in the town of Winter Park.

You can see the live cameras in Winter Park here.

There are a variety of angles on live cameras at Wolf Creek Ski Area.

You can see the live cameras at Wolf Creek here.

If a ski area or resort is missing from the list, it is because it does not have an official mountain camera listed online from the specific resort or ski area.

Here's the caution: the tips have to go beyond the gear. It's a learning experience and mindset. Mentality is just as important. Meteorologist Chris Tomer said preparation is key:

Get a "CORSAR" card: Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card:

"If a search and rescue team incurs expenses during a mission, they don't bill it to the person they helped. They (or the county sheriff under whom they operate) absorb that cost. Buying a CORSAR Card helps ensure that a county sheriff and the SAR team are financially prepared for the next mission — just as they were ready to help you because previous people they helped had a card and the team's expenses were reimbursed. This card allows the responders to apply for reimbursement of extraordinary expenses, but not the normal operating or routine mission expenses."

It is important to leave a detailed itinerary with a responsible person at home. This person should understand that it is their role to immediately report any known emergent circumstances, serious injuries or medical episodes, or an extended failure to communicate after the planned timeline of your trip.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said these are the most important tips for surviving the outdoors:

Here's a look the average snowfall for each month in Denver, according to the NWS:

The Pinpoint Weather team said a rare triple-dip La Niña will dominate winter.

Last season, Denver recorded 49.4 inches of total snowfall.

The Pinpoint Weather team will update Colorado's Most Accurate Forecast several times each day.

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