Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
517 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-191230-
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-
517 AM MST Wed Feb 18 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.

Strong winds and continues snow showers will bring a plethora of
hazardous weather today and tonight. Gusts of 35 to 55 mph in the
valleys and 50 to 75 mph in the mountains can be expected. When
combined with snow showers areas of blowing and drifting and near
whiteout conditions can be expected. Both the wind and snow will
create hazardous travel conditions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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.

.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.

$$

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
500 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

COZ010-013-190000-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260219T1200Z/
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-Flat Tops-
Including the cities of Aspen, Snowmass, Vail, Vail Pass, Minturn,
Buford, and Trappers Lake
500 AM MST Wed Feb 18 2026

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

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 12
  inches with locally higher amounts. Winds gusting as high as 55
  mph.

* WHERE...Flat Tops and Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain
  Valleys.

* WHEN...Until 5 AM MST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible due to snow
  and blowing snow creating near whiteout conditions.

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

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov