Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1033 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026

COZ018-019-181315-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260219T1200Z/
Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains-
Including the cities of Telluride, Lizard Head Pass, Ouray, Red Mtn
Pass, Lake City, Silverton, Molas Pass, Coal Bank Pass, Rico, and
Hesperus
1033 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 20
  inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high
  as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest San Juan Mountains and Southwest San Juan
  Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 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.

&&

$$

COZ004-009-010-012-013-018-019-031-034-060-068-200045-
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED AVALANCHE WARNING
COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
532 PM MST TUE FEB 17 2026

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

AVALANCHE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY

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

*WHEREthe Flat Tops, Park Range, Grand Mesa, Elkhead Mountains,
Gore Range, Sawatch, West Elk, Elk Mountains, and San Juan Mountains.

*WHEN Expect very dangerous avalanche conditions to begin on Tuesday
 evening and last through Thursday.

*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 evening 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

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
313 AM MST Tue Feb 17 2026

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-181015-
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-
313 AM MST Tue Feb 17 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.

A cold front is pushing through eastern Utah and Western Colorado
this morning with strong gusty southerly winds shifting more
westerly behind the front. Expect valley rain and mountain snow
showers with embedded thunderstorms ahead of the front and an
additional threat of snow squalls possible as it moves into the
mountains. Travelers along I-70 from Rifle to Vail Pass and adjacent
mountain corridors should be prepared for quickly changing weather
and road conditions through the morning with visibility dropping
below 1/2 mile due to strong wind gusts and heavy snowfall rates
along with flash freezing of road surfaces in these snow squalls.
Periods of moderate to heavy snow showers and strong winds remain a
threat this afternoon and overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Moderate to heavy snow showers and strong winds remain threats
Wednesday over the mountains and higher valley locations. Be
prepared for an extended period of hazardous winter travel and
consider delaying travel plans. Snow showers Wednesday night and
Thursday become isolated to scattered across the higher terrain
before a second storm system moves in Thursday night and Friday.
This second colder system will bring light to moderate snow showers
across much of the central and southern areas resulting in slick
roads and slow travel. Other than a few lingering snow showers in the
mountains, the weekend weather will be quiet. Another storm system
is possible about mid next week.


.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected today or tonight, however
spotters are encouraged to report snowfall amounts to the
National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov