Weather question for trip (Denver, Durango: vehicles, park, business)

[PenforPrez]

I'm planning a quick trip through Colorado for Thanksgiving weekend. I'm one of those people who gets the itch for a random road trip, but I also want to see to some family business in Paonia. I'm planning on taking U.S. 50 west out of Kansas (I'm coming from St. Louis) through the Rockies to Delta, then to Paonia and back via I-70 from Glenwood Springs. I went out there 20 years ago, and I vaguely remember it, but I'm sure it's changed remarkably since.

What would the weather be like on that route this time of year? The forecast is calling for some snow showers on Friday and early Saturday; could that get treacherous? I'm used to winter weather, so I know how to be careful.

I'm sure you guys get a lot of questions like this, so I feel silly asking it, but I appreciate the input.

[jazzlover]

Well, you never know. Over the years, I seem to have been hexed when it comes to Thanksgiving travel in Colorado. When I've stayed home, the weather has usually been fine. When I traveled (which used to be frequently over the Thanksgiving holiday), I have run into some of worst winter weather of my nearly four decades of driving experience. The absolute worst was a trip from Denver to Gunnison one year the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Normally about a 3 1/2 hour trip, this one featured 15 mph ALL of the way through South Park in a raging blizzard, and 6 1/2 hours (!) to get over Monarch Pass. During one pleasant hour-long interlude of sitting while jackknifed semis were cleaned up (they just dozed a couple of them into the ditch at one point), no less than 6 vehicles stopped immediately ahead of and behind me were hit by sliding downhill traffic. A good time was had by all. The total trip took 13 1/2 hours from Denver to Gunnison--with an arrival in below zero temperatures at 1:30 in the morning. Another Thanksgiving I was headed over McClure Pass between Redstone and Somerset. 15 mph or less again in a blinding snowstorm. I was in a 4WD pickup and, in many places, snowdrifts were up to the bumper. So, the weather will either be good--or it won't . . . And, late November and early December typically are the driest part of the winter season.

[Mike from back east]

I drove Durango to Glenwood Springs via Paonia, Somerset, et al, just 2 days ago. It was in the 40's to 50's, no snow in sight. Lovely drive. Same for the drive from Glenwood Springs to Denver and COLO SPGS yesterday. Keep checking accuweather.com for all the towns in your itinerary, it may still be mild. On the news last night they said we may get a winter blast on Wed night into Thanksgiving Thursday. We are overdue for wintry weather, been too mild too long this Nov.