Spring Storm Dumps Snow on Rockies; Schools Closed

A violent spring snowstorm buried the Rockies with up to 9 inches of heavy, wet snow today, snapping power lines and closing roads and schools, and wind-blown rain spilled into the Central Plains, endangering livestock.

More than five inches of snow fell on Denver and northern Colorado, forcing Denver schools and nearby districts to cancel classes. The Public Service Co. reported the snow downed power lines across the state.

“We’re busting our chops to get it back in service, but we’re falling further and further behind,” said power company spokesman Neal Linkon.

Delays were reported at Denver’s Stapleton International Airport.

“(Delays) will be up to an hour by noon, and getting longer throughout the day as the storm gets worse. Snow crews are operating around the clock. We’re limited to using the north-south runway complex only,” said spokesman Ken Wells.

The snow extended from the northern mountains of New Mexico across the central Rockies through Wyoming. Showers and thunderstorms soaked Nebraska, Kansas and western Missouri. Winds gusted to 44 m.p.h. and nearly half an inch of rain fell on Dodge City, Kan.

The combination of rain, snow and cold temperatures could be especially hard on livestock. Advisories were issued from Wyoming to Kansas.

“Most of the problem with the storm is going to be with livestock,” said Bill Barlow of the National Weather Service. “Livestock enjoyed a week or two of nice weather and now this sudden change puts a lot of stress on them.”

High winds accompanied the snow. Winds were clocked at 71 m.p.h. at Pueblo, Colo., and 56 m.p.h. at Colorado Springs.

Raton Pass in northern New Mexico was nearly impassable after the storm dropped nine inches of snow on the area. Drifts more than two feet deep blocked Interstate 25 just north of the New Mexico border.