Double-digit snowfall in parts of Colorado during major storm, some drivers stranded

Double-digit snowfall in parts of Colorado during major storm, some drivers stranded
Associated Press
Updated Thu, March 14, 2024 at 7:51 AM MDT



Please see this frame grab showing The Colorado State Capitol is covered in snow early Thrusday, March 14, 2024 in Denver. A major snowstorm has hit Colorado, closing numerous schools and government offices Thursday and shutting down sections of highways leading to the Denver area as meteorologists warned of difficult to nearly impossible travel. (KMGH via AP)

DENVER (AP) — A major storm dumped heavy snow in Colorado overnight Thursday – forcing flight cancellations and shutting down a highway that connects Denver to Colorado ski resorts.

“Our city hasn’t seen a storm like this in a few years,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston posted Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The storm, which began Wednesday night, wasn't expected to wind down until Friday morning. The heaviest snow accumulations were expected in the Front Range Mountains and Foothills, with a large area expected to get 18 to 36 inches (45 to 91 centimeters), and some amounts exceeding 4 feet (1.2 meters), the National Weather Service said.

Major sections of Interstate 70 were closed in the Colorado mountains, with numerous reports of vehicles stranded on the highway for hours.

“Stay home !! Troopers are getting stuck trying to get to all the stranded motorists,” the Colorado State Patrol posted on X.

Aspen Springs, in the foothills of Gilpin County, west of Denver, had 23 inches of snow as of Thursday morning. An area on the western edge of the Denver metro area got 18.5 inches and Jamestown in Boulder County received 14.3 inches, the weather service reported.

The storm started as rain in the Denver area and turned into snow. The area was expected to get 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters) of snow, with up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) in the western suburbs, the weather service said.

Denver deployed 36 residential plows starting at 3 a.m. Thursday with the plan to shave the top few inches of snow off streets, to help clear paths to main streets.

Denver International Airport was open early Thursday, but about 800 flights to and from there were canceled or delayed, according to Flightaware.com.

The snowstorm 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.

Colorado power outage tracker: Map shows nearly 80,000 without power amid winter storm
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
Thu, March 14, 2024 at 2:50 PM MDT
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A powerful winter storm left nearly 80,000 utility customers without power in Colorado Thursday morning.

Heavy snowfall has a led to the closing of schools and the cancelation of hundreds of flights including 800 at Denver International Airport, according to FlightAware.

Up to 3 feet of snow is expected until Friday across the Front Range, Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials in downtown Denver have opened shelters and warming centers in response to the severe weather. Experts have said Thursday could be the worst winter storms to face Colorado in years as whiteout conditions have been reported on mountain roads and across parts of the Denver and Boulder metro areas. Officials have closed major highways like the I-70 and authorities are asking people to remain indoors.

Meanwhile, thunderstorms have brought the risk of potentially damaging hail and tornadoes to the Midwest and Mississippi Valley.

Colorado power outages map

https://data.usatoday.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/area/colorado/08/

According to USA TODAY's power outage tracker, more than 49,000 utility customers are without power as of Thursday, 2:45 PM MDT