The National Weather Service issued the first winter weather advisories of the season for four Mountain West states, with up to 14 inches of snow forecast in Utah’s high country.
Forecasters put parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada under winter weather advisories as a cold system moved in, threatening heavy snow at higher elevations and slick travel below the peaks.
The US Sun reported the alerts as the first of the 2026-2027 season, with some areas looking at more than a foot of snow and others facing wind-driven whiteout risk for drivers, hikers and hunters.
Utah’s western Uinta Mountains drew the biggest total. Up to 14 inches was possible along the north slopes as snow moved through the evening.
The National Weather Service described the setup in plain terms.
"Northerly upslope flow along the back side of a low-pressure system will bring periods of snow through this evening along the north slopes of the Uintas,"
the agency said.
Southern Colorado near Vail and Boulder was in line for six to 12 inches. Slightly north of Pagosa Springs, eight inches or more was possible, with many nearby spots looking at one to six inches.
The Eastern San Juan Mountains, including Wolf Creek Pass and Cumbres Pass, were forecast to pick up four to nine inches. Some Colorado zones also faced wind gusts as high as 35 mph on top of the snow, a mix that turns roads glassy fast.
Many of the Colorado advisories ran through Thursday.
In Wyoming, a winter weather advisory for the Wind River Mountains held until noon MDT Wednesday, with one to three inches possible. Forecasters flagged tough travel in the backcountry and along South Pass, and called out areas from Lander and Dubois to the stretch between Rawlins and Laramie, plus the Snowy Range.
They put the risk bluntly for anyone on the road.
"Travel could be difficult especially across the backcountry. The hazardous conditions may impact the commutes across South Pass,"
forecasters said, while urging people to slow down and use caution.
Nevada’s East Humboldt Range and Ruby Mountains were under an advisory ending Tuesday afternoon, with five to ten inches expected before it lifted.
The NWS did not stop at road conditions. Outdoor recreation in the high country carried its own warning: conditions could turn dangerous for anyone caught unprepared.
"Hunters and hikers may become disoriented and lost due to low visibility in falling and blowing snow."
That is the kind of forecast that rewards packing layers, checking the pass report, and knowing when to turn around.
No injuries, wrecks, or formal closures were reported in the initial round of alerts. The message was preventive: snow, cold, ice, and wind were coming to the high country first, and the people who live and work under those ridgelines get the early test every season.
Winter does not wait on anyone’s calendar. The smart move is the same one the forecast already spelled out, slow down, gear up, and treat the mountains with respect.
