A massive winter storm is focusing its most severe effects on a four-state region that includes Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and the Texas Panhandle, where heavy snow and difficult travel conditions are forecast through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, a strong Colorado Low moving northward into the Upper Midwest is pushing a cold front south across the High Plains. Upslope flow over the Rockies’ eastern slopes, combined with deep Pacific moisture, is resulting in a concentrated band of snowfall throughout the central and southern High Plains.
The heaviest snowfall is forecast from southeastern Colorado to northeastern New Mexico, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. Forecasts predict 3 to 6 inches of snowfall across the region, with localized accumulations of 6 to 8 inches likely around the storm’s core, particularly from southern Colorado to far western Kansas and northeastern New Mexico.
Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories are in place throughout most of this four-state region, including areas surrounding Pueblo and Lamar in Colorado, Clayton and Raton in New Mexico, Dodge City and western Kansas cities, and parts of the Texas Panhandle. Gusty winds accompanying the system may cause blowing snow, limited visibility, and rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Rain and thunderstorms are falling further south and east of the snow band, but colder air wrapping into the system maintains snow in place across higher elevations and the High Plains. The most substantial travel consequences are predicted to occur Friday evening and early Saturday, particularly along key routes including as I-25, I-70, and I-40.
The National Weather Service forecasts precipitation to gradually lessen late Saturday as the storm moves east, but slick roads and freezing temperatures may persist into the weekend.
Residents and tourists in the Colorado-New Mexico-Kansas-Texas region should monitor local forecasts, postpone travel if feasible, and prepare for rapidly changing winter weather conditions.
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