Snow in CO Sprngs in March??? (Denver, Colorado Springs: rental, buy, live)

[lookingup]

My daughter & I are flying in to Colorado Springs on 3/8/07. We'll be renting a car and staying in the area for a couple of days then going south. Tell me.......do you think I'll have to drive in snow?

[2bindenver]

yes, it is certainly likely. March is our snowiest month, followed by April.

Average snowfall in the Denver Metro area is 61 inches (up from 55) and we already have 62 inches in the books.

Got boots and an ice scraper?

[lookingup]

Didn't realize March was the snowiest month....of all the months to visit can't believe I chose the 'snowiest'!!!.....how should I expect the roads to be in Colorado Springs and south to Pueblo?

[jmc]

Regarding the snow, it's a gamble...I lived in CO Springs in '96-'99. I experienced a bad snowstorm there around March '98 that almost kept me from flying out on a trip east. During the time I was there, the major snow storms that I remember were in April '97, Oct. '97, and March '98...that was years ago, though, so maybe you'll be OK. I think Denver's had a pretty cold and snowy season this year, too. Chances are you'll be fine, though.

[lookingup]

I read that the temp is usually 20 degrees warmer than the real temp & the snow is powdery.....is this true? Is there much ice?

[mthawki]

If somebody can actually tell you what the weather is going to be like in a month, then I want that person telling me football scores in advance so I can get rich.
In all seriousness, just start looking at the forecast a week before your trip and and keep following it so you won't have any surprises. It could be sunny and 65 or there could be a blizzard. There's just no way to tell right now, so there's no reason to start worrying.

[2bindenver]

Funny, but true. Forget the football score...powerball!

Common sense is called for. Don't drive in unfamilar territory in the dark if you can help it.

If there is snow, will be snowing, or it's colder than 32 degrees, drive slower!

Somewhere in the forums is what to keep in your car for a roadtrip in Colorado - use the search forum tool. Buy that stuff when you get here. Use www.cotrip.org and www.nmroads.com

[lookingup]

I'm not worrying...just like to be prepared....looking at it as a cool adventure! Been a long time since I've seen snow...hoping to see some...just not alot! Thanks for all the info.

[COflower]

Snow in Colorado at any time of year is hit or miss.

March, as stated, is our snowiest month but will we get snow? Hard to say.

It could be as light as 2 inches or we could get a blizzard (please no more blizzards this year!). You just never know.

I assume you are renting a car? If so, as your rental co. if they have any snow preparedness kits which would include things like a basic first aid kit to flares, blankets, etc...bring along some granola bars or power bars, bottles of water.

Chances are, the drive from CS to Pueblo is an easy drive, very rarely are there problems between the two but it can be a little dicey in winter weather like anyplace else in CO.

Just drive slow if there is snow and don't worry about the other drivers, bring a cell phone, have a preparedness kit and you will be good to go. Luckily the drive between CS and Pueblo is pretty short.

I have been a driver in CO all of my driving life and one thing I have learned, if the roads are bad enough, drive slow. You shouldn't be in a hurry to get anywhere and the destination will look a lot nicer if that destination is where you intended and not an ER room. I have driven through Colorado mountains like a grandma through the snow. Tough poo for the other drivers on the roads. I value my life more than I value getting there quickly. My last serious drive through very bad weather was in March of 2003 when I went to Vegas for a family major birthday. I got behind a semi-truck who had his hazard lights on and I got behind him and did the same thing. I made to Vegas safely.

Heck I even had a state patrol pass me between Glenwood and Rifle when I was going about 40 mph. I felt the car slip a few times. There was no way I was going faster than that.

I was driving fast enough but in control and that's what matters.

I ramble a lot. Sorry. ;-)

[lookingup]

COflower,
Thank you for all that info.....keep ramblin'!!!Having lived in FL for a while, it's hard to remember what snow was like. Before FL we lived in AL but got very little snow there.