Blizzard warning in Colo., N.M. digs out ( Global Warming ? )

, Associated Press ^ | 12-20-06 | JON SARCHE

[george76]

A major snowstorm blew across Colorado toward the Plains on Wednesday, canceling hundreds of airline flights for holiday travelers and shutting down major highways in parts of four states.

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

A day earlier, the storm had pummeled New Mexico with up to a foot of snow.

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 and wind up to 30 mph could pile the snow into high drifts...

"I'm going to grab my computer, talk to my boss and go back home,"... "I'm not going to take a risk and get stuck in Denver."

United Airlines, the busiest carrier at Denver International Airport, canceled more than 630 flights ...

Police closed Interstate 70 for more than 250 miles from just east of Denver to Colby, Kan., and sections of I-80 along a 140-mile stretch from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Big Springs, Neb...

"Crashes are beginning to occur," said Mary Jo Hall of the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Travelers stalled by the closures had already started filling Kansas motels during the morning, said Stan Whitley, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

Truckers were pulling off I-80 at Ogallala, Neb. "Our parking lot is pretty small, but they're just kind of parked off on the streets," said cashier Michelle Krauter at the Sapp Brothers truck stop.

Scores of schools were closed, along with many courthouses in eastern Colorado.

[Vinnie]

My son's daughter, my granddaughter, was supposed to fly back to DIA from Fresno today.

Of course that didn't happen. Likely won't tomorrow either.

[Current Occupant]

I've been watching this storm on my 'Weatherbug' and the darn thing hasn't moved much since this morning.

Wind here in Ne. panhandle has finally gone down to 15-20 mph but still snowing.

Just a FWIW.

[CedarDave]

If you are leaving early tomorrow, you will probably have rain to south of KC, after that clear except maybe local fog at night. It's going to be a nice day tomorrow in south and SE NM.

[Exit148]

The flight was cancelled. Gonna be fun tomorrow trying to find seats --as you said --- within $$$$$ reason. At least we are stuck at home, not on the floor of an airport somewhere!

[ican'tbelieveit]

This definitely looks like it is bigger than a few hours ago:

http://www.intellicast.com/IcastPage/LoadPage.aspx?loc=uscoct14946&seg=LocalWeather&prodgrp=RadarImagery&product=RegionalRadarLoop&prodnav=none

[Rte66]

Must you talk about me that way? "Old" "hwy" *grin*

[LiteKeeper]

I am stranded in Phoenix...can't get home to Colorado Springs until midnight Christmas eve!

[LiteKeeper]

Traffic Cams in Colorado Springs

[potlatch]

Strangely it has been a cooler summer and winter so far in Texas! Thanks for the ping

[devolve]

bump

[momfirst]

Apparently there are hundreds of thousands of families in Oregon and Washington who still do not have power from the storm from last week.

Yup - my mom up north of Seattle just called tonight saying they still didn't have power and are leaving this time to stay with in-laws before another storm hits there tonight.

Interstingly, I grew up in Colorado Springs before we moved to the Northwest- doesn't matter where ya go, there's some sort of stormy weather. Sure do miss the Colorado snow, though. Freezing rain I can do without.

Best wishes to those in Colorado. Stay safe and warm! :o)

[Arizona Carolyn]

Did Al Gore make a Global Warming speech today in Denver? /s

[ican'tbelieveit]

Whew, home from work. In the six hours there, everything that had been plowed and shoveled filled back in. my yard is easily under 4 feet of snow (we haven't received 4 feet, I think close to 2 feet, but it has blown into the yard). Can't even seen the fence anymore. The roads are treacherous. Cars were completely under snow in the work parking lot. And the snow is still coming down.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Looks like 25" total for snowfall as of 3 hours ago.

[hawkeye101]

He (Gore) could give a speech here in Des Moines, IA, and people would believe it. This is the 3rd winter in a row with hardly any snow, and 40's and 50's for highs. I always remember as a kid once every decade we would have a mild winter, but not 3 winters in a row. It is really weird. Usually by now we are around 10 degrees, and a couple of feet of snow on the ground. Today it was 48, and it rained all day. It was always said you could count on 2 things in Iowa: cheapskate farmers and harsh winters. The latter may not be true anymore.

[Dumb_Ox]

I was home all day in Arvada. Not much trouble, only had to shovel the drive twice to make sure my dad could pull in his car when he got home.

He was working in Golden, a twenty minute drive took him... only forty minutes. He has an SUV with four-wheel drive.

I am glad that my three-year-old ailment finally cleared up on Sunday, otherwise that driveway wouldn't have gotten shoveled.

[fanfan]

Glad to hear he made it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[united1000]

My son has 3 feet in his backyard; but the car is packed and they are heading to Grand Lake as soon as passable to snowmobile.......

[suzyjaruki]

Sorry it took so long to respond--I have been doing a lot of snow clearing duties. The dogs need a way out. *smile*

A move from Southern California to a local with real winters will be quite a change! I moved from the foothills near Sacramento where snow stayed on the ground only a few hours. It looks like Fort Collins, with 23" of new snow, will be covered for quite a while.

Good luck on your move, Colorado needs more conservatives, just look at the results of the last election.

[ican'tbelieveit]

DIA now closed until noon Friday.