Blizzard threatens to bury Colorado, Plains

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/12/2...orm/index.html

Denver braces for another blizzard

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- First Christmas weekend. Now New Year's.

Denver is bracing for another blizzard beginning Thursday, with up to two feet of snow expected -- a possible damper on New Year's weekend travel plans.

The National Weather Center issued a winter storm watch for Thursday afternoon into Friday afternoon.

Denver International Airport is prepared for the worst, a spokesman said.

"The forecasts say anything from three inches to -- that's the best case -- up to 20 inches, which is worst case," spokesman Chuck Cannon said.

"So you kind of have to deal with it as it comes, but we need to make sure everyone is prepared for the worst case, and we'll try to deal with that."

Last week, a two-day blizzard stranded thousands of people at the airport as they were trying to travel for the Christmas holiday, one of the busiest travel times of the year.

More than 3,000 incoming flights were canceled or diverted during the 45-hour shutdown in Denver, The Associated Press reported. At the peak of its closure, 4,700 travelers were marooned at the airport, according to AP, and the delays rippled across the country.

Denver International Airport fully reopened on Saturday.