Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
201 AM MST Mon Feb 16 2026

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-170915-
Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-
Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-
Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley-
Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains-
Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-
San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-
Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat-
La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-
201 AM MST Mon Feb 16 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest
Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah
and southeast Utah.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Winds will begin to increase across the higher terrain today ahead of
a strong storm system arriving overnight. Wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph
over exposed ridges and higher peaks above 9000 feet will be possible.
The upstream storm system arrives overnight combining the threat of
snowfall with these strong winds by sunrise. Moderate to heavy snow
rates and areas of blowing snow will create hazardous travel
conditions over the much of the high country.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

As this strong system works through western Colorado Tuesday morning
an additional threat of snow squalls will be possible. Travelers
along I-70 from Rifle to Vail Pass and adjacent mountain corridors
should be prepared for quickly changing weather and road conditions.
Visibility less than 1/2 mile due to strong wind gusts and heavy
snowfall rates along with flash freezing of road surfaces will be
threats with snow squalls or heavy snow bands moving through Tuesday
morning. Moderate to heavy snow rates and strong winds will remain
threats Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon over the
mountains and higher valley locations. Be prepared for an extended
period of hazardous winter travel and consider delaying travel plans.
A lull in widespread heavy snow rates and winds is still expected
Wednesday night into Thursday before another system moves in for the
late week period.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time. However snow and
road reports are welcome as this strong winter storm system arrives
tomorrow morning.

$$

COZ012-210030-
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED AVALANCHE WARNING
COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
521 PM MST MON FEB 16 2026

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER.

AVALANCHE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY

*WHAT Heavy snow and strong winds will result in HIGH (4 of 5)
avalanche danger

*WHERE The West Elk Mountains including the Ruby and Ragged Ranges

*WHEN Expect very dangerous avalanche conditions to begin Tuesday
and last through Friday

*IMPACTS Large and dangerous avalanches will be easy to trigger.
Large avalanches will run naturally.

*PRECAUTION/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS Travel in backcountry avalanche
terrain is not recommended from Tuesday through Friday.
Avoid travel on and under slopes with a slope angle steeper than
about 30 degrees. You can find more detailed information at
colorado.gov/avalanche

$$

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1131 AM MST Mon Feb 16 2026

COZ009-012-170815-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0003.260217T0600Z-260219T1200Z/
Grand and Battlement Mesas-West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-
Including the cities of Skyway, Crested Butte, Taylor Park, Marble,
Monarch Pass, and McClure Pass
1131 AM MST Mon Feb 16 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
5 AM MST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10
  and 20 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting
  as high as 70 mph.

* WHERE...Grand and Battlement Mesas and West Elk and Sawatch
  Mountains.

* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 5 AM MST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Blowing
  snow may result in near zero visibility at times. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.
  Strong winds could cause tree damage.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, warm clothes,
and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road
conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by
calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov