Severe Winter Weather Delays School and Causes Travel Chaos in Denver

DENVER, Colorado — A winter storm has disrupted travel and delayed school schedules across the Denver metro area, prompting officials to issue advisories as heavy snowfall continues into Friday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the region, which is set to remain in effect until 8 a.m. Friday. Commuters are advised to brace for hazardous driving conditions as snow accumulates along the Front Range.

By Friday afternoon, conditions are expected to improve significantly, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures peaking near 40 degrees. Motorists can expect a smoother drive post-morning commute, according to Denver7’s chief meteorologist, Lisa Hidalgo.

“Get ready for a slow and slick commute,” Hidalgo said. “Snow will clear from north to south, giving way to warmer temperatures and lots of melting this weekend.”

Roads across the metro area have been heavily impacted. Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber provided updates on current conditions, stating, “Challenging road conditions are present wherever you are headed this morning.” He noted that several accidents had been reported early Friday, but indicated most had cleared by 5:55 a.m.

Specific locations reported issues, such as Highway 285, which was recently reopened over Kenosha Pass, though travel remains treacherous. “There was so much snow it was coming over the hood of my car,” Luber described about traveling through Castle Pines.

Several school districts have announced delayed starts due to the inclement weather. Aurora Public Schools and Pickens Technical College will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule, while the Cherry Creek School District is delaying elementary bus pick-up and school start time by 60 minutes. High school and middle school students will face a 90-minute delay.

The Colorado School of Mines has also declared a two-hour delayed start, canceling all classes and activities prior to 10 a.m. Friday. Additional updates on school closures and delayed opens can be monitored through the district’s official channels.

As part of the response, the NWS reported that areas on the west and southwest side of the metro, along with the foothills, are expected to see up to three additional inches of snow. This comes on the heels of an already substantial snowfall that has blanketed the area.

Travelers are urged to plan accordingly, avoid unnecessary trips, and allow for extra time if they must head out. The Denver7 news team continues to monitor the storm’s developments, sharing the latest updates as conditions evolve.