Winter Storm Warning Issued for Rabbit Ears Pass and High Elevations in Jackson and Grand Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Denver CO has issued a Winter Storm Warning for high-elevation regions in north-central Colorado. The alert is classified as a severe weather event with likely certainty.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers West Jackson and West Grand Counties for areas above 9,000 feet. This includes Rabbit Ears Pass.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers are advised to take the following precautions:

• If travel is necessary, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
• Be prepared for winter driving conditions and adhere to traction laws.
• Monitor the latest road conditions for Colorado by calling 5-1-1 or visiting www.cotrip.org for information on road closures.

Expected Conditions

• Snowfall: Heavy snow is expected with total accumulations between 10 and 20 inches.
• Wind: Winds are forecast to gust as high as 70 mph.
• Visibility: Snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less.
• Impacts: Travel could become very difficult to impossible. The combination of heavy snow and high winds may cause damage to trees and power lines.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is effective from 11:00 PM MST on Monday, February 16, 2026. The conditions are expected to persist until the warning expires at 5:00 AM MST on Thursday, February 19, 2026.