CSP Sterling

Colorado State Patrol Troop 3B covers Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma and Washington counties. Where Colorado Meets the Sun every morning!

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

In Colorado, the left lane is reserved for passing where the speed limit is 65 or higher. Reduce frustration from faster drivers, who may or may not be driving over the legal limit. Move over once you pass and drive the posted limit. #KnowYourLane

[Colorado State Patrol Association @COStatePtrlAssc]

May we never forget... Patrolman Thomas R. Carpenter EOW 12/27/1973 https://t.co/vVWrCLKiod

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

Before the parade kicked off, Master Sergeant Giffin made sure the Grinch didn't steal Christmas in Fort Morgan.

[CSP Sterling @CSP_Sterling]

Nebraska State Patrol and Colorado State Patrol pause their team operation on I-76 for a photo op! The two agencies are aggressively working traffic to prevent tragedy this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Please drive responsibly. Wear your seatbelt! Don’t drive impaired! S-3.

[CSP Sterling @CSP_Sterling]

The Colorado State Patrol is participating in the Morgan County Gold Stars toy drive at the Fort Morgan Walmart today (11/22) until 4pm. Please bring new, unwrapped toys or clothing, or a cash donation to help brighten up Christmas for some local children. With appreciation - S3

[CSP Sterling @CSP_Sterling]

Take a moment and give thanks for our freedom. Have a safe and happy July 4 holiday, and weekend. Please wear your seat belts. Have a plan for a designated driver before you get to your festive event! We will see you on the road! S3.

[Colorado State Patrol Association @COStatePtrlAssc]

May we never forget... Trooper Taylor Thyfault EOW 5/23/2015 https://t.co/w8xIFtebnu

[CSP Sterling @CSP_Sterling]

Troop 3B was well represented at the MADD awards banquet. Cpl Contreras won the Individual Occupant Protection Dedication Award, and the Fort Morgan team won the Team Award. MTrp Marty Plakorus won the Col. Mark Trostel award for Outstanding work as a DRE and enforcement!

[Kody Wilson @kodythewxguy]

Good mernin and happy Tuesday to my early risers, night owls, insomniacs, and neurospicy besties.

A mix of hazardous weather conditions is expected over the next 24 hours.

Strong to damaging winds will be the primary threat through this afternoon and evening, with widespread gusts of 40-60 mph, except in southern Colorado, where gap winds could reach 80-100 mph. Posing a serious risk to high profile vehicles traveling north or south.

This will lead to blowing dust, reduced visibility, power outages, and extreme fire danger. It also poses a danger to high profile vehicles traveling north to south along I-25 and the eastern plains.

Snow will spread across the mountains, with snow squalls impacting travel, including along I-80 west of Cheyenne.

A cold front will move in this afternoon and evening, shifting winds out of the north with gusts of 40-60 mph.

Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and evening ahead of the front will transition to wind-driven snurfall, with blizzard conditions possible east of a Scottsbluff-Fort Morgan-Limon line into western Kansas.

Any areas of snow Wednesday morning should be wrapped up by NOON as the storm quickly exits to the east. it'll still be pretty blowy with temperatures only expected to be in the 30s and 40s.

NW winds of 15-25mph G 30-40mph except on the far eastern plains closer to the proximity of the storm system where gusts could easily be 50-60mph. So, be aware of cross-winds if you're traveling east to west especially on I-80, I-76, and I-70.

Another quick hitting storm for Thursday into Friday bringing more wind and the possibility of mountain snow and rain/snow showers down here at lower elevations. I'm working on those details and will update accordingly.

Another storm and associated cold front possible sometime over the weekend. Be patient my precious little pickles. More information to follow. 😁

For road conditions and webcams:

Wyoming - https://t.co/clRrZ1vuoG
Colorado - https://t.co/NXU17PJ5Ok
Nebrasky - https://t.co/8ZQHjr6pCT
Kansas - https://t.co/IDAEaUzyDJ

What has five toes and isn't your foot? My foot. 😝😜😅😂😆

I'll see myself out k great thanks bye.

[CSP Sterling @CSP_Sterling]

@kodythewxguy You can see where it started near the road edge, and was pushed by wind. The cause could be anything. These fires move quickly, and produce a lot of smoke. As motorists, you need to slow down as there is limited visibility in cases like this.

[Kody Wilson @kodythewxguy]

Good mernin and happy Monday you adorable little buttered biscuits. 🥰

All the information you need is in my handy dandy graphics.

I'm taking my forecasting cap off and putting my nowcasting cap on.

Here's the simplified rundown:

Storm Overview

The storm is moving in today (March 3rd) and will bring most of its snow tonight and overnight into the day on Tuesday. However, areas like the Palmer Divide and eastern plains will see snow lingering into late Tuesday mernin and afternoon.

The storm track is super important because it decides where the deformation zone sets up and therefore where the heaviest snurfall takes place.

Timing and Types of Weather

8am - 10am (Monday): Snow will spread from west to east across the mountains, with rain on the valley floors in western Colorado.

Noon - 2pm: Expect rain, high elevation snow, and maybe some thunderstorms across the northern Front Range, southeast Wyoming, and western Nebrasky Pandyhandle.

4pm - 6pm: Rain and thunderstorms will start turning into wet snow in the Denver metro, northern Front Range, southeast Wyoming, northeast plains, and as far south as the Palmer Divide.

9pm - Midnight: Heavy wet snow bands will set up along and east of I-25, hitting southeast Wyoming, the eastern plains, and the Palmer Divide, extending south to El Paso and Lincoln County.

Snowfall Probabilities (Monday Evening - Tuesday Afternoon)

Denver Metro: High chance of 1-4 inches, medium 4-8 inches, low 8-12 inches.

Foothills: High 1-4 inches, medium 4-8 inches, low over 8 inches.

Palmer Divide & Eastern Plains: High 6-12 inches, medium 12-18 inches, low over 18 inches.

Northern Front Range: High trace to 2 inches, medium 2-6 inches, low 6-10 inches.

Cheyenne Ridge: High 4-10 inches, medium 10-14 inches, low over 14 inches.

Mountains (Pass Level): High 6-12 inches, medium 12-24 inches, low over 24 inches.

The heaviest snow is expected in the south suburbs (onto Palmer Divide), north Jefferson County, central and northern mountains, and San Juans.

Sorry, in my pandelerium, I didn’t mention Colorado Springs by name therefore many believe it doesn’t exist unless I do. That’s unhealthy. Stop it. 😜

There will likely be a very sharp accumulation gradient in El Paso and Lincoln County because of the Palmer divide. The most snow will be north and then will probably drop sharply the further south you travel. 

2-4” with a medium probability of 3-8” and a low probability of exceeding 8”
Those probabilities will drop dramatically as you travel south through Fountain, Security Widefield, Fort Arson (I mean Carson), etc…..

Storm Features (from the Terminology Image)

Deformation Zone: This is the north and west side of the storm where the air stretches, boosting snow rates. Where it sits will decide where the heaviest snow falls.

Center of Low Pressure: The storm’s core, with air swirling counterclockwise around it.

Downsloping: When air is forced off mountains to lower areas (like I-25), it compresses, warms up, and dries out, reducing snow in places like Pueblo and Greeley.

Maps and Risks

The maps show the storm’s path, with Denver marked by a star for you geographically challenged precious little chicken nuggets. The highest chance of getting at least 6 inches of snow is in the central and northern mountains, Cheyenne Ridge, Palmer Divide, south Denver suburbs, and eastern plains (south of I-76 and north of Hwy 50).

Winds of 40-60 mph from Monday evening to Tuesday afternoon will make travel dangerous, especially in exposed areas like Cheyenne Ridge, eastern plains, and Palmer Divide.

Blizzard conditions are possible in southeast Wyoming, western Nebrasky Pandyhandle, and parts of the eastern plains and Palmer Divide.

My Dad always said I loved alphabet soup growing up as a kid. In reality, it was just him putting words in my mouth. 😆😆😜😜😜🙃🙃🤣🤣🤣

Don't worry I'll throw myself out. K bye

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

Many Colorado highways may only have one or two lanes. When you see an emergency vehicle working on the side of the road, you need to slow down, and if possible, move over. You can save a life. #SlowDownMoveOver

[Kody Wilson @kodythewxguy]

Probability of an impactful winter storm this weekend across our region continues to increase. Here's an update to my update. 😜

Please read carefully. I don't have time to babysit the comments section all day. 😅

A potent trough will move across the Rocky Mountains from west to east Saturday and into Sunday.

**AHEAD OF THE STORM OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND INTO SATURDAY MORNING, AREAS OF SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING DRIZZLE AND DENSE FOG WILL DEVELOP ON THE EASTERN PLAINS OF COLORADO, IN NEBRASKA, AND KANSAS CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS**

- Snow will develop and become widespread in Colorado's mountains by Saturday afternoon.

- Snow develops and becomes widespread along I-80 in southern Wyoming and the western Nebrasky pandyhandle Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.

- As the storm moves off the mountains and undergoes cyclogenesis (the storm strengthens), the backside of the storm circulation commonly referred to as the deformation zone, will cause areas of snow to blossom in the foothills, along I-25 in Colorado, and onto the eastern plains Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.

- This part is important. Any shift east or west in the placement of the deformation zone will have significant implications on how much snow falls and where. Directly to the east of the deformation zone, you'll be dry slotted for awhile and snow accumulation will be less. Directly west of the deformation zone, you'll get downsloping winds coming off the mountains. See the problem?

These are the pain in the ass details you don't normally hear about that keep me up at night. 😅

This is why forecast transparency and storm probabilities is a necessity.

Someone is getting heavy snow tomorrow, and maybe even thundersnow.

THUNDERSNUR!!!!!!!

The question is who?

One thing is certain, the further east you travel out of Colorado and into Nebraska and Kansas, the worse it gets. Just don't.

We haven't even mentioned the wind. I don't think it'll be strong enough to meet blizzard criteria but there will be blowing and drifting snow which will make driving and visibility even more dangerous assuming roads on the eastern plains aren't closed that are more exposed.

Underneath the deformation zone, the forecast model blended average is 2-6" and there will be outliers meaning someone could get more than that. Unfortunately it won't be widespread. Due to the possible convective nature of snowfall, there will probably be large accumulation differences over fairly short distances. Shocking.

It doesn't stop there. Next week is looking cold and snowy. I have a lot of work to do. Please be patient. Show me some grace you needy little gremlins. 🥰

Kthxbye

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

In 1933, Senate Bill 483 was introduced to form a State Highway Courtesy Patrol as a division of the Colorado State Highway Department, Also, referred to as the Colorado Motor Patrol. Two years later, the agency was formed and the Colorado State Patrol was born. This year we celebrate 90 years of serving Colorado and protecting lives on Colorado's roadways. #90YearsStrong #DecadesOfDedication

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

Hands on the wheel, not your phone. Effective Jan. 1, it is illegal in Colorado to use a mobile device while driving, unless you have a hands-free accessory. Learn more at https://t.co/CzLQ5cw2DV. #DropTheDistraction

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

What is the mandatory seatbelt law?

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

Winter is Coming! Make sure you are taking the proper precautions to ensure you keep yourself, and your family safe! A few quick reminders during traction law, motorists are required to have EITHER, 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16” tread depth, tires with a mud and snow designation and 3/16” tread depth, winter tires and 3/16” tread depth, tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer and 3/16” tread depth, or chains or an approved alternative traction device.

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

Trooper
Zachariah Templeton
October 12, 2007
On October 11, 2007 at 4:40 p.m., Trooper Templeton and Trooper Scott Hinshaw were assisting a motorist who had lost one of two plastic farm chemical tanks he was hauling on a flatbed trailer in the median northbound on I-76, east of 96th Avenue. A Ford pickup driven by a juvenile heading northbound on I-76 approached the scene, not paying attention to traffic, and swerved to avoid hitting the slower moving vehicles in front of him. The juveniles' maneuver placed him in the median, rear-ending the motorists trailer and striking Troopers Templeton and Hinshaw, but missing the motorist they were assisting. Both Troopers suffered serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals. Unfortunately, Trooper Templeton succumbed to his injuries on October 12, 2007.
Templeton entered the Patrol July 2003.

[Colorado State Patrol @CSP_News]

End of Watch
Trooper
Charles A. Fry
September 26, 1987

[CO - Emergency Mgmt @COEmergency]

💔Heartbreaking news from CDOT.

We are so sorry for the loss of Trent and Nate.