Forecasted snow causes closures of Trail Ridge, Old Fall River roads

It may not be winter quite yet, but Rocky Mountain National Park is already expecting snow and icy conditions leading the park to close Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road this evening.

Both roads are expected to be closed at 7:30 p.m., but could close earlier if weather conditions warrant it. The roads will be reopened when conditions allow.

According to Rocky, the park expects snow and freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet tonight. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the country at an elevation of 12,183 feet.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Grand County for showers and thunderstorms below 9,000 feet and snow in the mountains and along Interstate 70. It is expected to snow up to a few inches overnight.

Trail Ridge Road only opened June 5 due to delays in plowing snow off the alpine thoroughfare. Last year, the road closed for the winter season on October 31.