On the plains, the weather to plan for is wind, hail, and open-road storms

Driving and weather in Bent County look different than in the mountains. The roads are long and open, and the hazards come from the sky and the wind more than from grades and switchbacks.

In the warm months, the Eastern Plains get strong thunderstorms. They can bring large hail, hard wind gusts, heavy rain, and at times tornadoes. Storms can build fast over open country, and you can often see them coming from a long way off, which is both a warning and a reason to pay attention.

In winter, the same open ground means blowing and drifting snow. A road can be clear in one spot and drifted shut a mile later, and wind can drop visibility quickly. Many county roads are gravel and may not be plowed right away.

None of this should scare you off. It just means the plains reward a driver who checks the forecast, keeps an eye on the horizon, and gives themselves room and time.

For current conditions, watches, and warnings, use the National Weather Service. For road status and closures on the highways through the county, use CDOT and COtrip rather than guessing.