More than 7 million Americans were under winter weather alerts and about 300,000 were under blizzard warnings Sunday morning.
The snow and blizzard conditions were expected to continue through early Sunday afternoon before conditions start to improve. The blizzard warning has been extended into Colorado along the Front Range, and includes Denver, according to the National Weather Service.
In addition to the heavy snow, winds are very strong in the region, with sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph and gusts 45 to 50 mph. These winds are leading to blizzard conditions in some locations but are also forecast to weaken through the afternoon.
The heaviest snowfall is expected from areas northwest of Boulder, Colorado, to areas near Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming. Cheyenne has seen more than 18 inches of snow near the airport, while Denver has seen 11 inches at its airport. Boulder has picked up about 8 to 12 inches of snow, and the town of Estes Park has had just over a foot.
In all, as much as 18 inches of snow is possible in Denver, while areas north of Boulder could see more than 2 feet of snow, CNN meteorologist Tyler Mauldin said.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said there is a “high” avalanche threat for the Front Range until Monday morning. Heavy and intense snowfall from the current storm will cause large and destructive avalanches at all elevation levels, above and below the tree line, and in “unusual locations,” according to the center.
The blowing snow and poor visibility shut down runways at Denver International Airport, and more than 2,000 flights into and out of Denver this weekend have been canceled. Across Colorado, several major roads are closed, including two stretches of interstates.
The snow, coupled with high winds, could mean that parts of Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota will see blizzard conditions, making travel in those areas next to impossible, according to Mauldin.
Southeast could see flood concerns
Meanwhile, flood watches and warnings were in effect for areas of Kansas and Missouri, while heavy rain was impacting parts of Nebraska and Iowa.
As the storm system moves east over the next day or two, the Southeast could also face flood concerns.
Parts of Alabama and Georgia could see between 2 and 4 inches of rain Monday and Tuesday.
Tornado damage reported in Texas
There were 40 preliminary severe storm reports on Saturday, 11 of which were tornadoes, according to Mauldin.
Severe weather threats shifted to Arkansas on Sunday, where showers and strong thunderstorms were forecast throughout the afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock.
CNN’s Andy Rose and Eric Levenson contributed to this report.
www.cnn.com 2021-03-14 19:28:08