Front Range Snowstorm: Xcel Energy Updates, Weather Warnings

The National Weather Service's winter storm warning remains in effect for metro Denver, Boulder and other Colorado cities until 6 a.m. Monday.

Xcel update

Xcel Energy has called on hundreds of employees and contractors to be ready for outages, officials said. The agency is also working with neighboring utilities to coordinate outage restoration efforts across the state.

Crews have been asked to carry chains in their vehicles to help them move quickly and safely through the snow.

“We have a seasoned crew well versed in quickly and safely restoring power in the most extreme conditions and this storm is no different," said Mark Newby, control center and trouble operations director in Colorado. "We are ready to respond.”

If your power goes out, you can help end the outage quickly by reporting it immediately, officials said. Customers have several ways to report their outage:

• Xcel Energy mobile app available on iOS and Android
• Online at xcelenergy.com/outage
• Text ‘OUT’ to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage.
• Call 1-800-895-1999 and follow the prompts — the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds. Once the cause of the problem is identified, the system or an Xcel Energy representative will provide customers with an estimated restoration time.

National Weather Service update

The National Weather Service has provided a Sunday forecast update for metro Denver and other regions:

"Total snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches [are] expected, with locally heavier amounts possible near Boulder and Fort Collins," the agency's winter storm warning read. "Winds could gust as high as 35 mph."

Thunder snowstorms — or 'thundersnow' — could also occur, the National Weather Service said.

"The most severe conditions from deep accumulating snow will likely occur in and near the Front Range Mountains and Foothills where 2 to 4 feet of snow may fall, and along the I-25 Urban Corridor where up to 2 feet of snow can be expected," the alert read.

"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency."

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The Colorado National Guard will be deployed this weekend to respond to emergencies during the snowstorm, Gov. Jared Polis announced Thursday.

The national guard members will work with the state's Emergency Operations Center through Monday at noon to respond to search and rescue requests, Polis said.

"I urge you to stay home if it's going to snow hard in your area so you don't need them to rescue you," the governor said.

The roads need to be kept clear for snow plows, essential workers and emergency crews, officials said.

Colorado transportation officials asked skiers to arrive at their destinations Friday and remain there until Monday.

"Snow is expected to be heavy and winds may create blizzard conditions," a weather alert on the COtrip web portal read. "I-70 up to the Continental Divide and Foothills west of Denver/Boulder may see over 36 inches of snow."

An avalanche watch has also been issued for the Front Range.

"Very dangerous avalanche conditions may develop in the afternoon or overnight on Saturday, March 13, as snow rapidly accumulates during a powerful winter storm," the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in an alert.

"Avalanches are possible at all elevations and in unusual locations. Backcountry travelers will encounter increasingly easy to trigger avalanches and increasing avalanche size as snow accumulates several feet deep. Expect dangerous avalanche conditions to last into Monday."

>> Read the full National Weather Service warning.

>> You can call 511 to check the latest road conditions, or you can check an interactive Colorado map and road cameras here.