ScottCurry
EF3
The Bomb Cyclone (explosive cyclogenesis) that hit Colorado on March 13, 2019 resulted in Category 2 Hurricane Force Winds (96 mph+) and whiteout conditions. Visibility on the roads was reduced to 0 feet, and thousands of cars were stuck on the roads. Hundreds of schools and businesses closed, and flights at two major airports were cancelled. Emergency Services made the decision to only respond to life threatening emergencies. Snow plows ceased operations due to the dangerous driving conditions.
My plan to chase this Bomb Cyclone was to leave my house around 10 am just as the blizzard was starting and drive to Monument Hill - an area along I-25 known to be especially bad for travel during snow storms. I was hoping to record some car spinouts and people struggling to make it to the top of the hill. As luck would have it though, stupidity started early. Before I could even leave my house, a 40 car pileup was reported at Monument Hill.
With the blizzard hitting on the worst end of what was predicted, I started north from my house around 10 am and took a few wind readings just shy of 40 mph before coming across a few stuck cars. The rule of storm chasing is that if you come across someone who needs help, you end your chase and help them. So I helped three of the motorists move their vehicles off to the side of the road. Two of the drivers got in my car, and one decided to stay in their car. After chaining up, I drove the two stranded motorists home. I tried to return to pick up more people, but the road conditions were getting worse, and there were so many stuck cars that many of the roads were blocked.
At that point, I decided there was no more help I could provide and I didn't want to become stuck out in the blizzard myself. My main goal was to get home before the sun set. So around 3 pm, I drove home, checking on other stuck vehicles as I passed. Luckily every other vehicle I passed was either abandoned or already had another good samaritan helping.
Here is a recap of my day. This is 100% my dashcam as I never got the opportunity to stop and take video. Either visibility was too bad to see anything, or I was spending my time helping other drivers.
My plan to chase this Bomb Cyclone was to leave my house around 10 am just as the blizzard was starting and drive to Monument Hill - an area along I-25 known to be especially bad for travel during snow storms. I was hoping to record some car spinouts and people struggling to make it to the top of the hill. As luck would have it though, stupidity started early. Before I could even leave my house, a 40 car pileup was reported at Monument Hill.
With the blizzard hitting on the worst end of what was predicted, I started north from my house around 10 am and took a few wind readings just shy of 40 mph before coming across a few stuck cars. The rule of storm chasing is that if you come across someone who needs help, you end your chase and help them. So I helped three of the motorists move their vehicles off to the side of the road. Two of the drivers got in my car, and one decided to stay in their car. After chaining up, I drove the two stranded motorists home. I tried to return to pick up more people, but the road conditions were getting worse, and there were so many stuck cars that many of the roads were blocked.
At that point, I decided there was no more help I could provide and I didn't want to become stuck out in the blizzard myself. My main goal was to get home before the sun set. So around 3 pm, I drove home, checking on other stuck vehicles as I passed. Luckily every other vehicle I passed was either abandoned or already had another good samaritan helping.
Here is a recap of my day. This is 100% my dashcam as I never got the opportunity to stop and take video. Either visibility was too bad to see anything, or I was spending my time helping other drivers.
