DENVER — Thousands in Colorado were without power as authorities closed highways and schools during a winter storm that pummeled the Denver area and threatened to drop another half foot there overnight into Friday.
The storm comes as other parts of the country face severe weather. Massive chunks of hail pelted parts of Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday night, with storms unleashing possible tornadoes in Kansas. Earlier this month, a blizzard dumped more than 10 feet (3 meters) of snow on a northern California ski resort.
The Colorado storm shut down a stretch of Interstate 70, the state’s main east-west highway, in the mountains for much of the day Thursday, stranding some drivers for hours, mainly because of trucks that got stuck in the snow, blocking other traffic, authorities said. To try to keep the highway open, no trucks will be allowed on a portion of I-70 from Eagle/Vail to Morrison until noon on Friday.
Multiple routes may be blocked or have delays resulting from crashes, stuck vehicles and other issues.
The storm, which began Wednesday night, delivered the slushy, wet snow typical for March, one of the snowiest months in Denver. The heaviest accumulations were expected in Colorado’s Front Range region, where the eastern plains meet the Rocky Mountains and the vast majority of the state’s population lives. Most of the snow was falling in the foothills west of Denver.
Those higher elevations had up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow by Thursday and more than another foot (30 centimeters) was forecast by Friday morning. Denver itself got up to about 9 inches (23 centimeters) by Thursday. Another 3 to 7 inches (8 to 18 centimeters) was expected in the Denver area by Friday morning.
While a boon to Colorado’s ski industry, the extreme conditions shut down several ski resorts. The storm also closed numerous schools and government offices Thursday and Denver area schools were closed in advance for Friday.
More than 18,800 customers were without power across Colorado late Thursday primarily in metro Denver and along the Front Range, according to poweroutage.us.
But plenty of people were enjoying the snow, like Melanie Brooks, who was out walking her dogs Thursday morning in Denver.
“I’m kind of sad that I didn’t make it up to the mountains because now it’s tough to drive there, and I’m missing a powder day,” she said.
Since the storm is the rarer kind that brings more snow to the eastern half of the state rather than the mountains, it may not do much to feed the Colorado River, which supplies water to more than 40 million people in the West.
Jarmila Schultz was tackling her sidewalks in shifts as the snow continued to fall.
“I have to get out early because I have to do it like four times because it’s going to snow all day,” the 77-year-old said, noting she has cleats on her boots to prevent her from falling. “It’s water, ice and it’s very hard for me to lift.”
But she still loves the snow.
“You know, in my time I skied, snow-shoed and did all this and I think Colorado’s incredible for those type of things.”
Tyler Barnes, a Miami native who drove a ride-share overnight, was trying snow-shoeing for the first time Thursday morning, and found it was pretty easy.
“It was really what I hoped it would be like,” he said. “I feel confident I could walk a long way in these.”
Denver International Airport was open but 830 flights were canceled Thursday with nearly 440 more delayed, according to Flightaware.com.
A powerful snowstorm has hit Colorado, bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds that have forced the closure of highways and schools for a second day in a row. The storm, which began on Monday, has caused treacherous driving conditions and prompted officials to urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has reported multiple accidents and road closures across the state, with some areas experiencing whiteout conditions. The closure of major highways, including Interstate 70 and Interstate 25, has left many travelers stranded and unable to reach their destinations.
In addition to the highway closures, many schools in the affected areas have also been forced to shut down for a second day. School officials cited safety concerns for students and staff as the primary reason for the closures, as the hazardous road conditions make it difficult for buses to transport students safely.
The snowstorm has also caused power outages in some areas, leaving residents without electricity and heat. Emergency services have been working around the clock to respond to calls for help and assist those in need.
Meteorologists are predicting that the snowstorm will continue to impact Colorado for the next few days, with more snowfall expected in the coming hours. Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm passes.
The closure of highways and schools due to inclement weather is not uncommon in Colorado, where severe winter storms can wreak havoc on transportation and infrastructure. Officials are urging residents to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this challenging time.
As the snowstorm continues to batter Colorado, it serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. By staying informed and following safety guidelines, residents can help minimize the impact of the storm and ensure their own well-being.
