November 9th 2024.
A fierce storm system has wreaked havoc on Colorado this week, leaving behind several feet of heavy, wet snow. But as the storm makes its way out of the state, the southern and eastern counties of Denver are still grappling with the aftermath of slushy roads and sidewalks.
According to Zach Hiris, a meteorologist at the Boulder office of the National Weather Service, snowflakes continue to fall in the region between Denver International Airport and the southeastern side of the city. However, he reassures that the snow is expected to ease up by the end of the day, providing some much-needed relief to the state.
"We're pretty much seeing the last of the storm this morning," Hiris shared.
The Palmer Divide area, located south of Denver, and Lincoln County were hit the hardest by the storm. Hiris reported that the Palmer Divide received up to a staggering 40 inches of snow, while rural Genoa recorded about 38 inches. In comparison, the Denver area saw a range of snow accumulation, from a few inches to over a foot and a half.
Captain Michael Yowell of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office revealed that rescue operations are still ongoing in the rural region east of Colorado Springs. With abandoned cars blocking snow plows and heavy machinery operators getting stranded while trying to dig out drivers, the situation is far from ideal. "Bulldozers are stuck trying to reach a buried Honda Civic over its roof," Yowell explained. He added that the county took a beating from Mother Nature, facing a one-two punch that knocked them right on their feet.
Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths of people or livestock. However, Yowell disclosed that certain areas of the county remain inaccessible to local rescuers and even members of the Colorado National Guard, who were summoned by Governor Jared Polis. During the storm, many motorists were taken to warming shelters, and the unincorporated community of Karval has been without electricity since Friday night.
"The snow is so heavy and wet, it feels like a spring snowstorm in the first week of November. It's the kind of storm that you need a running start to tackle," Yowell remarked.
Since Wednesday, winter weather has forced the shutdown of highways and other major roads across the state. The situation continued to worsen on Thursday and Friday, causing major traffic disruptions. However, as of 10:20 a.m., Interstate 25 and Interstate 70 west of E-470 are open for travel.
"Except for a few areas, the travel conditions in the metro area are pretty good now," Hiris stated.
In Denver, the snow is expected to completely subside by the afternoon, paving the way for a dry and sunny week ahead. With temperatures reaching the upper 40s and low 50s, it seems like a much-needed respite from the recent weather conditions.
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