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Denver, Colorado, a western United States state has been hit by the most severe winter storm of the year, causing widespread disruption across the state. The storm, which began on Wednesday night, has dumped over four feet of snow in parts of northern Colorado, leading to power outages for thousands and treacherous travel conditions.
Denver hit by severe storm
Interstate 70, a crucial link between Denver and the state’s ski resorts, was shut down for an extended period on Thursday, leaving many motorists stranded. The National Weather Service reported snowfall of up to 10 inches in Denver, with the metro area receiving between 10 and 20 inches, and the foothills experiencing two to four feet of snow. Nederland, a mountain town near Boulder, recorded the highest snowfall with 53 inches.
The Colorado State Patrol reported that trucks without necessary tire chains were primarily responsible for the highway closure, as they became stuck in the snow. Sgt. Patrick Rice advised drivers to carry food and blankets in case of being trapped.
The heavy snowfall has been a mixed blessing for Colorado’s ski industry. While it promises excellent conditions for skiing, several resorts were forced to close on Thursday due to the extreme weather. Eldora Mountain remained closed on Friday, requesting visitors to stay away until the area could be made safe.
The storm led to the closure of many schools and government offices on Thursday, with further closures on Friday. Poweroutage.us indicated that around 23,000 customers were without electricity, mainly in the Denver metro area and along the Front Range.
State climatologist Russ Schumacher noted that the storm’s snowfall pattern is unlikely to significantly impact the Colorado River’s water supply, as it primarily affected the eastern half of the state. However, it is expected to boost the snowpack for the South Platte River basin well above average levels, with the Arkansas River basin also potentially seeing an increase.
Travellers stranded as highway shutdown, flights cancelled
Denver International Airport experienced significant disruption, with approximately 800 flights cancelled on Thursday. By Friday, the situation had improved, with only 20 cancellations and over 200 delays.
Three years to the day of Denver's last major snowstorm, a powerful winter storm is hitting the Mile High City again, bringing over 2 feet of snow. Although snowfall in Denver is tapering off, an upper-level low-pressure system will linger, continuing snowfall in the Four Corners states' mountains until Saturday.
Travel along I-40 in Arizona and New Mexico will be hazardous due to heavy snow pockets. The slow-moving upper-level low will cause daily rain showers in lower elevations and snow in higher elevations throughout next week, but light showers are expected without flooding concerns. High peaks may see over a foot of snow.
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