Current:Home > NewsColorado snowstorm closes highways and schools for a second day -Ascend Finance Compass
Colorado snowstorm closes highways and schools for a second day
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:31:44
DENVER (AP) — Thousands in Colorado were without power as authorities closed highways and schools during a winter storm that pummeled the Denver area and threatened to drop another half foot there overnight into Friday.
The storm 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. Earlier this month, a blizzard dumped more than 10 feet (3 meters) of snow on a northern California ski resort.
The Colorado storm shut down a stretch of Interstate 70, the state’s main east-west highway, in the mountains for much of the day Thursday, stranding some drivers for hours, mainly because of trucks that got stuck in the snow, blocking other traffic, authorities said. To try to keep the highway open, no trucks will be allowed on a portion of I-70 from Eagle/Vail to Morrison until noon on Friday.
Multiple routes may be blocked or have delays resulting from crashes, stuck vehicles and other issues.
The storm, which began Wednesday night, delivered the slushy, wet snow typical for March, one of the snowiest months in Denver. The heaviest accumulations were expected in Colorado’s Front Range region, where the eastern plains meet the Rocky Mountains and the vast majority of the state’s population lives. Most of the snow was falling in the foothills west of Denver.
Those higher elevations had up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow by Thursday and more than another foot (30 centimeters) was forecast by Friday morning. Denver itself got up to about 9 inches (23 centimeters) by Thursday. Another 3 to 7 inches (8 to 18 centimeters) was expected in the Denver area by Friday morning.
While a boon to Colorado’s ski industry, the extreme conditions shut down several ski resorts. The storm also closed numerous schools and government offices Thursday and Denver area schools were closed in advance for Friday.
More than 18,800 customers were without power across Colorado late Thursday primarily in metro Denver and along the Front Range, according to poweroutage.us.
But plenty of people were enjoying the snow, like Melanie Brooks, who was out walking her dogs Thursday morning in Denver.
“I’m kind of sad that I didn’t make it up to the mountains because now it’s tough to drive there, and I’m missing a powder day,” she said.
Since the storm is the rarer kind that brings more snow to the eastern half of the state rather than the mountains, it may not do much to feed the Colorado River, which supplies water to more than 40 million people in the West.
Jarmila Schultz was tackling her sidewalks in shifts as the snow continued to fall.
“I have to get out early because I have to do it like four times because it’s going to snow all day,” the 77-year-old said, noting she has cleats on her boots to prevent her from falling. “It’s water, ice and it’s very hard for me to lift.”
But she still loves the snow.
“You know, in my time I skied, snow-shoed and did all this and I think Colorado’s incredible for those type of things.”
Tyler Barnes, a Miami native who drove a ride-share overnight, was trying snow-shoeing for the first time Thursday morning, and found it was pretty easy.
“It was really what I hoped it would be like,” he said. “I feel confident I could walk a long way in these.”
Denver International Airport was open but 830 flights were canceled Thursday with nearly 440 more delayed, according to Flightaware.com.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- 'The Continental from the World of John Wick' review: 1970s prequel is a killer misfire
- DeSantis unveils energy plan in Texas, aims to lower price of gas to $2 per gallon
- Could a promotion-relegation style system come to college football? One official hopes so.
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Wisconsin Republicans propose impeaching top elections official after disputed vote to fire her
- Indiana Republican state senator Jack Sandlin, a former police officer, dies at age 72
- In a first, Massachusetts to ban purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- After a lull, asylum-seekers adapt to US immigration changes and again overwhelm border agents
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Former Mississippi Democratic Party chair sues to reinstate himself, saying his ouster was improper
- Raiders All-Pro Davante Adams rips Bills DB for hit: That's why you're 'not on the field'
- Tests show drinking water is safe at a Minnesota prison, despite inmate concerns
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian and Miranda Kerr Look Inseparable While Baring Their Baby Bumps
- What's the matter with men? 'Real masculinity' should look to queer community, Gen Z.
- Horoscopes Today, September 21, 2023
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Man dies after swarm of bees attacks him on porch of his own home
When is the next Powerball drawing? No winners, jackpot rises over $700 million
Wildfire-prone California to consider new rules for property insurance pricing
Travis Hunter, the 2
Good American's Rare Friends & Family Sale Is Here: Don't Miss Up to 80% Off on All Things Denim and More
96-year-old federal judge suspended from hearing cases after concerns about her fitness
The world hopes to enact a pandemic treaty by May 2024. Will it succeed or flail?