Posted on 12/20/2006 12:59:25 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Is your son still driving?
Tell him to top up his tank whenever he can.
Wouldn't want to run out of gas.
There's now a knee-deep snow-drift on my front door & back sliding door. Luckily, the driveway in front of the garage door is clear of snow... except for the drift that looks almost waist deep.
My neighbor was shoveling before, but he gave up when the snow just blew right back & re-accumukated just as high.
husband is at Copper and says it is great. some visibility problems and white outs today but if you stay next to the trees you are okay,,hahhahaha!
Safely home. Thank you very much for your kind thoughts.Merry Christmas
And a Merry Christmas to all of our Canadian friends.
Why don't you send some of that snow to Pennsylvania? We haven't had any yet this winter and none is forecast for Christmas. It's getting real boring here with 50+ degree weather every day!
There are some off market flights that might work.
Into Colorado Springs, Grand Junction...
Where are you trying to go in Colorado ?
DIA now claiming to be closed THRU tommorrow night. Looks like the 21st to 23rd will be madness
I'm set.Was working in El Paso all last week. Saturday morning went to the grocery to pick up some fruit for myself and donuts for the crew. On the way from the produce section, I smelled a familiar odor. They had just roasted and bagged green chile (in maybe 1 or 2 pound bags)! It was still warm and you could see the moisture on the inside of the bags. Boy did I want to stop, but being in the motel, didn't know what I'd do with it. Just enjoyed the aroma for 30 seconds. Folks that don't know the aroma of fresh roasted green chile are missing a wonderful sensation. Green chile chicken enchiladas with hot posole are my favorites for winter party fare. Doubt if DIA has any such thing, even in good weather.
I heard that I - 25 was closed Pueblo to Cheyenne ?
Maybe more ?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Not there, in Raleigh. Trying to get my son home from Denver however. Its really bad. He has a 4:00 pm flight tommorrow but that likely wont happen. The next best I can do is the 24th. Bummer. May take until then to flush out the volume though.
I tell people I'm a Longmonster (after the bus.)
Thanks for the tip! Checking road conditions, it looks like this would be a viable alternative. I think we will try this, but of course, will continue to monitor the situation. We're planning on leaving here in Iowa around 4:30am - 5:00am tomorrow. Haven't decided if we will drive straight through with my wife doing some of the driving, or if we'll have to stop somewhere along the way. At the very least, I'd like to make it to Amarillo by tomorrow night. Anyway, thanks again, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the info! I think I may take CedarDave's advice and go south from Amarillo to Canyon, TX, over to Clovis on 60, and then on to Las Cruces on 70. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. Thanks again, and have a very Merry Christmas!
My son is in Castle Rock. He just sent me a pic of his deck.
4:00pm MST, 17" and still blizzard conditions.
I got clever with Southwest and kept his 21st ticket and exchanged his return half, for a backup 24th ticket. So we have two bets to play. And can get it done before the flight is sold out. I doubt he'll get to the airport tommorrow let alone get off the ground.
As of 6 p.m. it was still snowing in ABQ.
Isn't that bus, or wasn't it, green? A nasty green?
So I am at work right now. We sent coworkers home around noon-1pm, a couple of them are not home.
Coworker flight cancelled into DIA, next flight in, Saturday.
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