Upcoming wintry blast to temporarily close Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park - The Denver Post

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed, at least temporarily, by upcoming wintry weather, park officials said.

The road, which traverses the park from Estes Park to Grand Lake — a 48-mile span — will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday as a winter storm moves into Colorado from the north. Park officials announced the temporary closure in a Tuesday news release.

Heavy snow and strong winds, with a low temperature of 8 degrees, is expected in the park overnight Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday’s high temperature in the Deer Ridge section of the park is expected to be 9 degrees with a 90% chance of snow. Overnight Thursday, there’s a 50% chance of snow with the temperature dropping to minus 2 degrees.

New snow accumulation overnight Wednesday is expected to be up to 7 inches, with up to an additional 10 inches on Thursday, according to the weather service.

Park officials expect snow to start falling at about midnight on Wednesday, according to the release. Trail Ridge Road will shut down at Many Parks Curve on the east side and at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side.

The Alpine Visitor Center in the park closed for the season at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Trail Ridge Store will close for the season at 2 p.m. Wednesday.