A significant snowstorm has descended upon Colorado, causing widespread disruptions across the state. The inclement weather has prompted the closure of numerous schools and government offices on Thursday, while also leading to the shutdown of sections of highways connecting to the Denver area. Meteorologists have issued warnings of treacherous travel conditions, with some areas experiencing nearly impossible travel.
Denver Mayor shared his concerns about the storm, highlighting that the city has not witnessed such severe weather in recent years. The storm, which commenced on Wednesday night, is anticipated to persist until Friday. The National Weather Service has forecasted heavy snow accumulations in the Front Range Mountains and Foothills, with some regions expected to receive between 18 to 36 inches of snow, and certain areas potentially seeing over 4 feet of snow.
Sections of Interstate 70 in the Colorado mountains have been closed due to the storm. The weather service's office in Boulder described the snowfall as 'huge flakes coming down hard' in an early Thursday social media update. The storm initially began as rain in the Denver area before transitioning into snow. Denver and its surrounding areas are expected to receive significant snowfall, with estimates ranging from 10 to 20 inches, and up to 2 feet in the western suburbs.
Denver has deployed 36 residential plows to clear the streets, starting their operations at 3 a.m. on Thursday. The plows aim to remove the top layer of snow to facilitate access to main roads. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Denver International Airport remained operational on Thursday, although several hundred flights to and from the airport were either canceled or delayed.
This snowstorm in Colorado coincides with severe weather events in other parts of the country. Kansas and Missouri experienced massive hailstorms on Wednesday night, with reports of a possible tornado in Kansas. The authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and stay updated on weather advisories as the storm progresses.
