From 70s To Snow In Denver, March Blizzard Delays Travel & Closes Schools In Colorado

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - For much of the country it's a shock to the system, but for Colorado, it's just another day in March.

After a high of 73 degrees in Denver on Tuesday the city was dealing with a heavy, wet spring snow Wednesday morning.

The storm prompted many major school districts in the Denver metro area to shut down as forecasters were calling for winds between 40-60 mph to create blizzard conditions by the afternoon.

Heavy wet snow snarled traffic in the Denver metro area during the morning commute prompting CDOT to issue a mandatory requirement for all passenger vehicles to have chains, snow tires or 4WD.

Commercials vehicles were being required to have chains while traveling on Denver area interstates.

In the foothills northwest of Denver a CBS4 weather watcher measured 13.5 inches of snow overnight that melted down to just over an inch of water.

Blizzard warnings are in effect from Denver to the Kansas state line until 6 p.m. on Wednesday while winter storm warnings cover the foothills and mountains west of Interstate 25.

The snow is great news for Colorado after a fairly long stretch of dry weather that began in early February.

But the southeast plains, which are now considered to be abnormally dry and the most in need of water from Mother Nature, will largely miss out on this storm.

Another winter storm is expected to hit at the beginning of Easter weekend.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.