Snow hits Colorado, N.M.; parts of I-70, I-25 closed

The National Weather Service said snow was falling at 2 inches an hour on the Eastern Plains, producing some blizzard conditions.

The Associated Press

2/3/2012

A powerful winter storm swept across Colorado on Friday as it headed east, bringing blizzard warnings to eastern Colorado and western Kansas, and winter storm warnings for southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska.

The Colorado Department of Transportation closed portions of Interstate 70 and Interstate 25, the two main arteries crisscrossing the state. The National Weather Service said snow was falling at 2 inches an hour on the Eastern Plains, producing some blizzard conditions.

Transportation spokeswoman Becky Navarro said Friday eastbound I-70 was closed from Aurora to Limon and a ramp was closed on Interstate 25 in Denver because of numerous accidents.

"There are a lot of areas on the Front Range where there is very poor visibility," she said.

One of the largest snow totals Friday morning was 18 inches in Pinecliff west of Denver, and snow totals were mounting rapidly along the Front Range and eastern Colorado.

Jim Kalina of the National Weather Service said another foot of snow was expected in some areas along the Front Range before the storm moves out on Saturday.

The weather service said the snow will be moderate at times on Friday in Wyoming and Nebraska. However, winds could gust up to 35 mph and produce blowing snow from the southern Laramie Range to Sidney, Neb.

There were also problems in New Mexico where the Department of Transportation is reporting difficult driving conditions on several state highways because of the winter weather.

U.S. 64, and New Mexico State Highways 38 and 434 are snow packed and icy. Crews are out plowing the roads and laying down sand and cinders.

Drivers are asked to slow down and use caution.

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