Due to the latest winter weather system which is forecast to result in a Rocky Mountain region winter storm February 2023, consider ensuring that you have alternate plans ready to be implemented in case your travels are adversely affected.
Rocky Mountain Region Winter Storm: February 2023 Travel Alert
The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:
A Multi-Hazard Winter Storm To Track Across The U.S.
A multi-hazard winter storm will cross the Lower 48 this work week with a cold front slicing through the Northwest today. The storm will become better organized on Tuesday over the Four Corners region with mountain snow and winds. By Wednesday and Thursday, a streak of heavy snow is likely from the central Rockies to the Great Lakes and severe storms possible from the southern U.S. to Ohio Valley.
The map of the United States from the National Weather Service indicates that winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories, high wind warnings, high wind watches, winter storm watches, and even avalanche watches have been issued from northwestern Washington all the way to western Texas and western Minnesota.
Accumulation of up to as much as 40 inches of snow is expected in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The general swath of snow is expected to stretch from extreme southeastern Washington all the way to southwestern New Mexico, northern Minnesota, and southwestern Iowa. Travel will be affected accordingly.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States over the next couple of days or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
Here are four airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for 16 airports in four states for Wednesday, February 15, 2023 through Thursday, February 16, 2023; and Monday, February 20, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for Colorado Springs, Denver, Montrose-Telluride, and Steamboat Springs-Hayden for Tuesday, February 14, 2023 through Wednesday, February 15, 2023; and Wednesday, March 1, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Denver and Steamboat Springs for Tuesday, February 14, 2023 through Wednesday, February 15, 2023; and Saturday, February 18, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued a travel alert for Denver for Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
Do not be surprised to see additional airlines issue travel waivers — as well as existing travel waivers being extended — as this winter weather system progresses towards the east.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
