Blizzard threatens to bury Colorado, Plains

[gldstwmn]

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

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- Heavy snow blew across Colorado on Wednesday, canceling hundreds of airline flights and shutting down a major highway, as a winter storm plowed onto the Plains after pummeling New Mexico.

The National Weather Service posted blizzard warnings for most of eastern Colorado and adjoining sections of Nebraska and Kansas.

Up to 5 inches of snow had fallen by the morning rush hour in the Denver area. Two feet of snow was possible in the foothills just west of Denver, with 2 to 3 feet a possibility farther north. Up to 20 inches could accumulate on the Plains of eastern Colorado. Wind up to 30 mph could pile the snow into high drifts.

United Airlines, the busiest carrier at Denver International Airport, canceled more than 630 flights for the rest of the day, and Frontier Airlines planned to cancel up to 40 afternoon flights, representatives said.

"This is a step that we need to take because of what Mother Nature is throwing at us," said United spokesman Jeff Kovick.

Eastbound Interstate 70 was closed for 90 miles from Limon to the Kansas line and police shut down about 60 miles of westbound I-70 from Colby, Kansas, to Burlington, Colorado. Travelers stalled by the closures starting filling Kansas motels during the morning, said Stan Whitley, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

Dozens of schools were closed in eastern Colorado and northwest Kansas, along with many courthouses in eastern Colorado.

The lumbering storm dropped more than a foot of snow in the state's southwestern mountains Tuesday, with 19 inches at the Wolf Creek ski area and 17 at Durango Mountain Resort.

"We've been waiting for a big storm to hit, so this was the best early Christmas present," Durango Mountain Resort spokeswoman Loryn Kasten said.

The broad storm also spread rain across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska on Wednesday, with snow in western Kansas and Nebraska, where police reported vehicles sliding off I-80 in the Nebraska Panhandle. Ice accumulating on branches and power lines also caused power outages in the area.

The storm rolled into Colorado from New Mexico, where roads around the state were still snowpacked and icy Wednesday. Numerous schools opened late or remained closed.

Up to a foot of snow fell at higher elevations of northwest and west-central New Mexico on Tuesday, and snow and sleet closed sections of I-40 across eastern New Mexico and in the Texas Panhandle.

Albuquerque International airport was closed for several hours Tuesday as snow covered runways.

[skcin]

^ Well, I guess you're OK since you're posting this. How's everyone else? Dee? Wait, you're with your fam. But wait, NM is affected too.....

[irishgrl]

Well, Deanna, looks like you dodged another bullet!

[sara1998]

I would love to be there for Christmas.... We're not getting any snow for Christmas. I sure hope you and Deanna stay safe. Be careful out there.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by sara1998

I would love to be there for Christmas.... We're not getting any snow for Christmas. I sure hope you and Deanna stay safe. Be careful out there.

It's Minnesota. I'd expect nothing less!

[estranged4life]

Nothing here...Oklahoma had a chance of a White Christmas, but the storm system for this upcoming weekend will pass to the South.

As for the current weather, it is sunny outside, but rather cold with the dry air front passing through.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

It's Minnesota. I'd expect nothing less!

I meant Colorado.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by sara1998

I would love to be there for Christmas.... We're not getting any snow for Christmas. I sure hope you and Deanna stay safe. Be careful out there.

We aren't either. No snow in Buffalo? WTF?!?!

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by skcin

We aren't either. No snow in Buffalo? WTF?!?!

Well, in Indiana, you kind of take a white Christmas for granted. I miss it when we don't have one.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by sara1998

I would love to be there for Christmas.... We're not getting any snow for Christmas. I sure hope you and Deanna stay safe. Be careful out there.

Thanks. I was supposed to take my nephew to the airport tonight but it's closed and his flight is cancelled. Everything else is pretty much closed. It's snowing sideways. My house is stocked so no worries there. My neighbor came over and plowed out the driveway this morning with his mini snow plow thingie. It's all covered up again. I might sneak out before it gets too dark and take a few pictures.

[BTFLCHLD]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

I might sneak out before it gets too dark and take a few pictures.

I would love to see some snowpics...if you would share.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Thanks. I was supposed to take my nephew to the airport tonight but it's closed and his flight is cancelled. Everything else is pretty much closed. It's snowing sideways. My house is stocked so no worries there. My neighbor came over and plowed out the driveway this morning with his mini snow plow thingie. It's all covered up again. I might sneak out before it gets too dark and take a few pictures.

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

Well, Deanna, looks like you dodged another bullet!

Yup! I was originally going to leave Colorado today - but saw the weather stuff -so glad I left yesterday - I missed it in Colorado - but still got some of it in NM...it was beautiful but a pain to drive in...

I"m now in Southern NM where there is NO weather going on whatsoever...which is actually fine by me...

[GardenStateGirlie]

well, i think it's safe to say the north east will not be having a white christmas. in fact, the past two evenings have been the coldest that we've had in a while -- 36 degrees. i miss the white stuff though but i'm guessing we'll get it around february and march. stay warm and enjoy it! it looks gorgeous.

[DavidMn]

It's coming this way. We're supopsed to get about 10 inches tomorrow and Friday.