The Perfect Storm-Colorado
 

In Denver, we have over 3 feet with drifts close to 4. Some areas west of town could see 6 feet when this storm is over. Airport closed until tomorrow. Highway 70 closed at the Kansas border and at the foothills to the west. Last I heard Hwy 25 was closed at the Wyoming border. All that snow and you cannot get to the mountains. It is a HEAVY wet snow. Great for the drought but lost a big tree that turned our very well built fence to splinters and is now blocking the alley. Many more trees down on our street but have not ventured very far to see what damage is around. Tried to walk the hounds this morning and only made it a few feet.<BR><BR>Roofs have collapsed on some buildings and that &quot;weather proof&quot; airport roof has a large tear in it. They had to evacuate the main concourse. No mail service, bus service, government offices are closed, no school, really the city has shut down. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Here in Fort Collins we are in a state of Emergency...

www.fly.faa.gov is showing Denver International Airport as CLOSED. Wow! I don't miss those days of wild snow storms and impassable roads (except when I was home in bed and we got a day off from school to build snowmen and stuff)....<BR><BR>I hope you get through without too much damage or inconvenience (kinda like when we have an earthquake!...). Take care of yourselves!

Coskier and Ani - Down here in Durango we've had snow for a few days, but nothing like you're getting. My kids are jealous of kids in your area because they're getting snow days. My kids have no idea of all the destruction that comes along with a snow day. I wish you could send us a little of your snow...then we'd all be happy! Sorry about the loss of the tree and the fence.

Oh no! I'm supposed to fly into Denver tommorrow! My cousin is getting married Saturday. Are you saying I'm not going to be able to get there?

I would check with your airline. The FAA website only indicates that the airport is closed for snow removal. No re-open time is indicated. However, I'm sure they're working as hard as possible to get it open again, and the snow is supposed to taper off tomorrow (temporarily?...), so you might have no problems. Pack a change or two extra of clothing (and extra toiletries and prescription drugs, etc.), however, just in case your stay is extended a day or two.

Expected to be open tomorrow, and to have a nice weekend weather wise. I'm flying to Edinburgh next Wednesday and this stuff had better be cleared out by then!

Would love to hear a ski report from someone there! I have read so many different depth readings, from just a couple inches, to over 30 in the last day! Is it powdery in the mountains?

Kristy...the mountains have gotten up to 8 feet with drift due to the largest blizzard (occuring the last 48 hours) ever. I'm pretty they've got powder. Unfortunately the highway used to get there is closed.

Just finished shoveling for the fourth time. Have about two feet of snow on the ground and my office has been closed the last two days. The snow has now stopped and they say it pretty much over. Expect to go back to work tomorrow if my Jeep can get through the snow drifts on my street. I suspect DIA will reopen by tomorrow am. Things should get better fast as it warms up.

Fellow coloradoans..anyone know anything about another storm coming in about this time next week? The weather sites aren't showing anything much but thought I'd ask-we need to fly out next Wednesday!!!

http://www.laborde.org/<BR><BR>That web site has a web cam from their house and you can see what a regular street in Aurora, Colorado looks like!<BR><BR>(it's a live camera so it will be dark at night)<BR><BR>Utahtea

Great site Utahtea! It is 89* here in SW Fla. We ahev our air conditoning on. BUT, I know you need the water and it is a mixed blessing, yes? Judy :-)

I feel for you all in CO, but I sure hope it doesn't keep coming my way. I've shoveled enough snow this winter here in the midwest. Am ready for spring.

Kristy heard that even in the Mtns the snow is rather heavy. As to conditions your right it vaires from very little to feet depending on location. Those closer to the divide got dumped on. <BR><BR>While the airport is expected to open tommorow vary limited flights, they said it will be days before everything is back to normal. of course you all would check with your airlines. <BR><BR>

Heard on the news that the next storm is expected to hit Denver next Tuesday. Also heard that United cancelled 90% of their Denver flights scheduled for Thursday.

That is not good news about Tues...

Looks like things are slowly getting back to normal. My sister has spent the last 36 hours in Kansas waiting for the highway to reopen, which it did 70 east to Kansas open. They hope to get west to the mountians open sometime today.<BR><BR>A bit of concern of flooding, wow, who would of thought that a week ago? Great for the fire danger and water levels.<BR><BR>Best go and see what I can do about that tree now.

Hey Denver Fodorites,<BR>Question for you--how is I-76 coming into Denver? Open and/or usable? We're planning a trip to Denver tomorrow for my daughter's dance competition (providing the instructors/judges from LA can even fly in) and can't get the definitive word on road conditions. We're staying near the Tech Center so will probably cross over on 470--is this something we should even try?

Tess, check out www.cotrip.org for road conditions in Colorado.

Tess : Should not be a problem by tomorrow. I am working today at the Tech Center and roads are in good shape. E-470 was closed this morning but was suppose to reopen by 10:00 this morning. The web site in the previous post is a good one for road conditions. One piece of advice is to avoid the neighborhoods as many are yet unplowed. Most business (restaurants, hotels, etc.) have been or will be plowed, so should be no problem. The sun is out and melting has started in earnest. One warning, be careful with your speed due to standing water.

Thanks to you both for replying...looks like we're good to go if the instructors can get in to DIA :-)

Forgive me, Denver, for gloating just a little. It seems that last few winters you have outdone us somewhat, especially toward the end of the season. Buffalo usually ends its' winters with a whopper of a snow storm, but this year we're actually seeing signs of spring!!! It was close to 70 for a few days earlier this week, but for now we have to settle for upper 40's low 50's for our highs. Believe me, that's wonderful for March. I do have empathy for you!<BR><BR>Funny, but several years ago Buffalo was trying to lure professional baseball, but we lost our chance to Denver. A lot of people said our weather had a lot to do with it :-) - Go figure. Good luck to you!

Well Buffalo girl I will have to tell you that this storm is the 2nd biggest ever...so very unusual AND last week it was literally 72 degrees. We sat on our deck every evening with margaritas! We are expected to be at 62 by Sunday!!

Does anyone know------did Vail get any of that snow that fell? Heading there on the 29th-------Thx

I WISH that Colorado Springs had gotten as much as Denver, it makes me sick. Stayed home for two days but probabaly could have made it in at least on Tuesday. I-25 within the city was completly snow free, just wet, until Monumnet. Neighborhood streets were a little bit worse but today 3/20 we had weather in the 40's, maybe higher and almost all the snow that wasn't piled up is nearly gone! I hear my old school district in Denver has been closed for about 4 days, truly remarkable! There is another, potentially good storm on it's way next week that could give Denver up to another foot of snow and more in the mountains. If anyone is trying to come into Denver within the next 4 days will probably encounter a big pain in your butt as people have been stranded at DIA for 3 days and some aren't going to get out until Saturday morning. Would have never guessed with the warm weather we have been having that this would be coming!

<BR>Colette,<BR><BR>You can check this web cam. <BR><BR> http://9news.com/9live/vail.htm<BR><BR>Just remember it is a live web cam and will be black at night.<BR><BR>Utahtea

Colette-Vail is in the mountains so yes, it got slammed with about 5 feet.<BR><BR>All I need to do is fly out of Denver next wednesday. That new storm isn't due in until late Thurs. so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks to Utahtea and Ani-----I've bookmarked the website, and am glad to hear there's lots of white stuff in Vail!