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.

[Newtoidaho]

Or, major headline in the AP: "2006 the 10th warmest year in the last decade!"

[Vinnie]

As of 10:00am my son has 32" on his deck in Castle Rock.

[Colorado Doug]

Too many Californians here these days. This was not a blizzard. We got what? 8 inches of snow? I used to walk to school (uphill both ways) ;-) in worse and had fun doing it. I think that maybe it snowed more back in those days.

[Colorado Doug]

Okay, maybe I'm a little too hardened. Let them have their little "blizzards." I had a cookout during the blizzard of '97. I will admit that one might have been a real blizzard, the darn smores would freeze before you could eat them and the fire was getting too deep in the snow to reach with the hotdog cooking sticks. I think I might have even chained up my truck for that one. (just in case the snow got bad later)

[lonestar]

Didn't hear from them today. They're in Breckenridge.

[george76]

Colorado only just started using mag chloride.

We use to depend on good tires and driving skills on top of packed snow roads.

The roads did not need to be clear to the pavement.

[Colorado Doug]

Let's compare weather again in July. Maybe after I've spent a day off Trail Ridge Road.

In July? Oh my goodness! If you are not careful, you might have to blot your brow lest a beat of sweat form. I hear that it can get into the seventies up there that time of year.

[Colorado Doug]

oops. Beat=bead

[Colorado Doug]

I'm looking to settle in a mountain town. I've always wanted to live in one. The ski resort towns are out of my reach but Woodland Park in Teller County looks good as the do the Fourteener towns in Chaffee County.

Just a word of warning from one who has been there, done that for 15 years or so in Summit and Teller Counties. Mountain living is great but check out the spring and summer temperatures first. Some mountain towns don't have Spring (just Mud Season) and only a couple of weeks of summer. I'm almost not kidding here. If you do find yourself in a mountain setting, and write this down, be sure that you have Southern exposure! You will thank me for that advice.

[Colorado Doug]

ooo, sorry to hear that you got stuck at DIA.

[Colorado Doug]

Oh! just the reporter was getting stuck. That's okay, I thought it was you. That's just nuts they can't keep the road open. They should have put up some snow fence. One might expect the wind to blow a bit out there on the lone prairie.

[Colorado Doug]

Shelf Road is tough anytime. Wish I was on it right now-NOT

The first time I drove Phantom Canyon Road was because I was in a hurry and it looked like the shortest route between Cripple Creek and Pueblo on a map. There was snow on the ground and ho-boy did I wish I was not on that road that day! Shelf Road ain't much better.

[Colorado Doug]

the tree-huggers tried to get them prosecuted for entering a wilderness area.

I had better luck than your brother. When I was 19 or so, I went snow camping for a few days in some pretty bad weather, probably someplace where I wasn't supposed to be camping. When I was walking back along the highway, some people stopped and tried to give me money. Those surplus, down filled pants and coat may have looked ratty but they sure were toasty warm and I was pretty proud of my North Face backpack. I finally took the twenty bucks because they just wouldn't take no for an answer.

[Colorado Doug]

Sorry to hit your thread so late. I was out shopping yesterday and didn't see your ping until today.

[Colorado Doug]

I rode a motorcycle up to the summit of Mosquito Pass once. Boy was it huffing and puffing by then. I also bladed most of the Park Service roads over the Continental Divide in that area with my trusty old road grader. I cleared the rockslides from that old railroad grade that they restored up on Boreas Pass too.

[george76]

No worries; glad to hear from you.

Sorry to hit your thread so late

[george76]

The airport and Pena Blvd need more equipment.

Whatever they have...it is not enough.

I am sure that their limited staff is extended. There should be some management where staff are cross trained somehow.

[familyop]

"I rode a motorcycle up to the summit of Mosquito Pass once. Boy was it huffing and puffing by then. I also bladed most of the Park Service roads over the Continental Divide in that area with my trusty old road grader. I cleared the rockslides from that old railroad grade that they restored up on Boreas Pass too."

You've really been around, then! It's beautiful on those trails. There's some great history regarding Boreas Pass.

Colorado Doug, I'm going to Freepmail you with a question (something you told me before, if I remember correctly).

BTW, for anyone else who reads this and is interested, even Weston Pass is most likely a no-go during most winters (low shelf road there, and the deep snow gets a crusty sheet on top of it--easy in summer with more than car clearance, though). And avoid Mosquito Gulch after dark during the summer. One can hear many bear woofing (one of the several sounds they make for various purposes) from the sides of the Gulch at sundown. ...too many. Mosquito Pass is a great ride from near Alma to Leadville during the day in August for vehicles with more than car clearance and very good brakes. ...four-wheel-drive with 4-low recommended (for control and avoiding overheating brakes when going down). It's not for anyone with an extreme fear of heights, though (high, narrow shelf road toward the Leadville side). And backing-up for a long distance on the shelf road, should someone come from the other direction, would require extreme patience and good health. Drivers going uphill have the right-of-way.

[greyfoxx39]

As one who grew up in the nation's icebox, the Alamosa area, I heartily agree.

[Catholic Iowan]

Thanks for the advice. We drove straight through yesterday, about 21-22 hours total. We didn't get to enjoy the scenic drive, as it was around 10pm by the time we reached Clovis, and around 3:30am by the time we arrived in Las Cruces, but the roads were clear, dry, and mostly 4 lane. As long as there are no weather issues, we will head back home the same way after New Year's Day, so should be able to enjoy the view a bit better. ;-) Anyway, thanks again. Probably saved us time and a big headache. :-)