Major snowstorm bears down on U.S. West, causing delays, school closures

The first snow of the season arrived in parts of Colorado Tuesday into Wednesday, with around 10 cm measured at Denver International Airport by Wednesday morning and other areas accumulating closer to 20 cm.

Officials say more snow is on the way.

Earlier this week, the blast of weather caused some school and highway closures. Country artist Dustin Lynch moved his November 6 concert to April 16, citing inclement weather.

More snow forecast

Forecasters are now turning their attention to the additional snowfall expected in parts of New Mexico and Colorado through Saturday, which could further contribute to dangerous driving conditions and widespread power outages.

At least 60,000 customers in New Mexico have already seen their electricity disrupted due to the weather, The New York Times reports.

As snow began to accumulate Thursday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning is in effect for portions of both states, affecting approximately 2.5 million people.

“A winter storm warning means that significant amounts of snow, sleet or ice are now occurring or are imminent,” the NWS says in its statement.

“Travel will become very hazardous or impossible.”

Over the next 72 hours, upwards of 90 cm could fall near the New Mexico border, while about 30 cm of snow is expected in the Colorado Springs area.

The NWS is warning farmers to take precautions because the conditions “will produce extreme hardship or loss of life for unprotected livestock.”

Thumbnail courtesy of Lynn Fraser via Storyful