Friends of Susan “Sue” Wolber are mourning her loss after her plane suddenly crashed on Saturday morning in Colorado, killing two and injuring one. Wolber was flying a Civil Air Patrol practice mission west of Loveland when her plane crashed before noon on Nov. 23.

Wolber, a longtime pilot, had recently retired professionally but was still staying active in the community and the skies.

William Snodgrass, president of the FNL Pilot’s Association, is a longtime friend of Wolber. He said he was at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport on Saturday when he learned there was a plane that crashed in the mountains nearby.

“I first heard there was an accident,” Snodgrass said. “I knew that Sue was part of Civil Air Patrol and had seen her car. So, I knew she was more than likely flying. I was very concerned. I texted her immediately when I heard and said, ‘I hope you are okay.’”

However, Wolber never replied. Sadly, she had lost her life in the crash, alongside aerial photographer Jay Rhoten. 

“I flew with her and we did a lot of things together,” Snodgrass said. So, it wasn’t just the loss of someone in the aviation community, it was the loss of my friend. So, it has been hard for me.”

While it isn’t known, yet, what caused the crash, Snodgrass and others said there was a severe warning for turbulence in the area at the time issued by NOAA.

“There is a thing called mountain wave, which is basically when the winds blow over Longs Peak, or whatever, they drop like a current of water and can create very severe rotors,” Snodgrass said. “If they had been somewhat low to the ground taking pictures, it is possible they were in a down draft that pushed them down into the ground.”

The final details and cause of the crash will ultimately be determined and released by the NTSB.

Snodgrass said Wolber was married and enjoyed riding her bicycle throughout the country and world alongside her husband. He also noted she was very dedicated to uplifting and educating the next generation of pilots, specifically women and girls.

“Her greatest passion was giving back not only to aviation, but she really wanted to encourage women in aviation,” Snodgrass said.

Snodgrass said he would greatly miss her energy, her intelligence and the hugs she was known to give to people as they parted ways.

A significant snowstorm will reach Colorado just in time to impact Thanksgiving travel.

If you can get to Colorado’s ski slopes before the storm arrives, you will enjoy some fantastic skiing.

Generally, travel conditions will be worse in the mountains and tapering to the Eastern Plains.

Here are details regarding the impending storm, according to the National Weather Service as of Monday morning:

Here is where and when winter storm warning is in place

• Winter storm warning: 3 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday with total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches for most areas, including the Front Range mountains; Park and Gore Ranges, including Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park, Medicine Bow Range, mountains of Summit County, Mosquito Range and Indian Peaks Wilderness. Road closures and very difficult travel conditions expected. Call 511 or visit cotrip.org for travel conditions.

Timing of the snowstorm and how it will impact travel

• Tuesday morning: Light to moderate snow begins for areas above 9,000 feet. Rain showers for lower elevations along the I-25 corridor.
• Tuesday afternoon/night: Heaviest snowfall expected to happen during this time in the mountains, especially above 10,000 feet, with mountain travel difficult over mountain passes. Light snow begins for areas above 7,000 feet with rain/snow mix possible for I-76 and I-25 corridor.
• Wednesday morning: Colder air arrives with lighter snow. Accumulation on roads could impact travel on the Eastern Plains and Palmer Divide.
• Thursday (Thanksgiving): Slick roads likely as roads freeze overnight, otherwise chilly and mostly dry.

Here are forecast snowfall totals for Fort Collins area and statewide

Wide snowfall total ranges are due in part because of when rain may turn to snow.

Larimer/Weld counties

• Fort Collins: 0-3 inches
• Loveland: 0-4 inches
• Wellington: 0-2 inches
• Windsor: 0-2 inches
• Greeley: 0-2 inches
• Berthoud: 0-4 inches
• Estes Park: 1-11 inches
• Red Feather Lakes: 2-9 inches
• Virginia Dale: 0-6 inches
• Cameron Pass: 12-26 inches
• Bear Lake (RMNP): 8-20 inches
• Milner Pass (RMNP): 11-25 inches
• Buckhorn Mountain: 1-9 inches

Other Colorado cities

• Denver: 1-2 inches
• DIA: 0-3 inches
• Boulder: 1-2 inches
• Castle Rock: 4-6 inches
• Colorado Springs: 2-3 inches

Colorado mountains/ski areas

• Steamboat Springs: 12-18 inches
• Winter Park: 18-24 inches
• Vail: 12-18 inches
• Aspen: 8-12 inches
• Breckenridge: 6-13 inches
• Breckenridge ski area: 15-34 inches
• Copper Mountain: 13-28 inches
• Keystone ski area: 13-26 inches
• Eisenhower Tunnel: 15-30 inches
• Berthoud Pass: 14-31 inches
• Loveland Pass: 14-27 inches
• Vail Pass: 13-25 inches
• Grand Lake: 7-15 inches
• Rabbit Ears Pass: 15-26 inches

Here is a look at the Fort Collins forecast for Thanksgiving week

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 46 degrees, south-southeast wind 3 to 7 mph and low around 23.
• Tuesday: 30% chance of rain/snow mix until noon, then chance of afternoon rain, with little to no snow accumulation. Partly sunny, with a high near 49, southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Tuesday night: 70% chance of precipitation. Rain likely before 11 p.m., then rain and snow likely. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible. Cloudy, with a low around 29 and northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
• Wednesday: 50% chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39, north wind 7 to 14 mph, gusting to 21. 30% chance of snow before 11 p.m. Low around 16.
• Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Sunny, with a high near 39 and low around 15.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 42 and low around 18.
• Saturday (CSU home football game): Sunny, with a high near 40 and low around 15.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 39.

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