Wild Weather Sweeps Through Colorado Tuesday

Blizzard conditions in the mountains, extreme winds and fire danger on the plains

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A powerful storm system will move through Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a mix of dangerous winter weather and fire risk across the state. The mountains are expected to see heavy snow and blizzard conditions, while the eastern plains will experience extreme wind gusts up to 85 mph and elevated wildfire danger.

Why it matters

This storm system has the potential to create hazardous travel conditions in the mountains and heighten the risk of wildfires on the plains, impacting both residents and travelers across Colorado.

The details

The storm will bring 3-18 inches of snow to the mountains, with isolated areas seeing up to a foot. Gusty winds of 60-70 mph will accompany the snow, creating blizzard conditions and poor visibility. On the eastern plains, wind gusts could reach 85 mph, significantly elevating the wildfire risk due to low humidity and dry conditions.

  • The storm system will move into Colorado on Tuesday morning and continue through Wednesday night.
  • The heaviest snow and strongest winds are expected on Tuesday.

The players

9NEWS Weather Impact Team

The weather forecasting team at 9NEWS, the NBC affiliate in Denver, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“Tuesday could be a crazy weather day across Colorado, with big impacts statewide as an atmospheric river type of storm setup moves into the area. Blinding snow squalls in the mountains, extreme winds between 60 and 85 mph, and elevated grass fire danger are the major concerns.”

— 9NEWS Weather Impact Team (9news.com)

What’s next

The 9NEWS Weather Impact Team will continue to monitor the forecast and issue any necessary weather alerts or updates as the storm system moves through Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The takeaway

This powerful storm system will create a wide range of dangerous weather conditions across Colorado, from heavy mountain snow to extreme winds and fire risk on the plains. Residents and travelers should closely monitor the forecast and be prepared to adjust their plans accordingly.