The storm also brought three reported tornadoes to Texas.
A major storm is hitting the middle of the US this weekend, with near-snow conditions forecasting in the Rocky Mountains and high plains. The harsh climate, including the possibility of strong tornadoes in the central and southern plains, is also expected.
The storm has already brought three reported tornadoes to Texas and over 7 inches of rain to parts of Missouri. More than a foot of snow has also fallen in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Weather alerts were issued from Nevada to Kentucky for this major storm. Blizzard warnings have already been issued for parts of Wyoming and Nebraska. Winter storm warnings are also in effect in much of Colorado, including Denver. Flood clocks have also been issued for parts of Oklahoma in western Kentucky.
Heavy snow will move in Denver on Saturday morning. In addition, more than 1.5 inches of rain per hour is possible on Saturday in parts of northeastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri.
As the snow intensity increases in Colorado, the winds also increase. Sometimes, conditions close to the blackout will be possible and the winds can blow as high as 35 MPH. Conditions will be extremely dangerous during Saturday night in Colorado and Wyoming.
On the southern plains, there is an increased risk of severe storms, including the possibility of strong tornadoes across Texas and Oklahoma. Harmful winds and hail will also be a threat to storms in this region. The storms will occur on Saturday afternoon, reaching the peak of intensity during the night.
On Sunday morning, heavy rain will spread over much of the plains, while Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming, will remain in heavy snow.
The storm will attempt to move east on Sunday night, with heavy torrential rain returning to parts of Arkansas and Missouri. Meanwhile, heavy snow will spread over parts of the northern plains and move towards the upper midwest.
The good news is that as the storm hits the eastern United States on Monday, it begins to weaken and does not appear to pose a significant threat to the east coast.
Locally, 2 to 4 feet of snow will be possible in parts of Colorado and Wyoming. Denver itself could see at least 30 to 60 centimeters of snow over the weekend, possibly more.
The largest snowstorm in Denver’s history was 45.7 inches in December 1913. If Denver catches 60 centimeters of snow, it will be the fourth largest snowstorm on record and the largest snowfall for the city since 2003, when the city caught 31.8 inches of snow.
Meanwhile, more than an additional 7 centimeters of rain is possible in parts of the central plains, which can cause flash floods.
The weather pattern will continue with another storm arriving on the West Coast on Sunday night and this storm will also travel across the country with more impactful weather from coast to coast this week.