Extreme Weather Alert: Snowstorms and Wildfires Threaten Rockies and Southern Plains

 

Millions Under Weather Warnings as Snow and Wildfire Risks Hit the Rockies and Southern Plains

TOPLINE

 

At least five million people near the Rockies were under a winter storm warning on Wednesday morning as the largest snowstorm of the year is moving toward Denver, and another 60 million are at risk of severe weather through Friday because of the same system.

The National Weather Service warned of eight to 20 inches of snow in the Denver metro area starting Wednesday night and continuing through Thursday night.

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KEY FACTS

The National Weather Service is warning of eight to 20 inches of snow around the greater Denver-Boulder area tonight through Thursday night, up to four feet of snow around the Front Range mountains, potential scattered power outages and “difficult to nearly impossible travel.”

Missouri and Kansas are facing severe weather threats Wednesday of powerful wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes with wind gusts around 65 mph, AccuWeather reported, adding the hail could reach “baseball or softball size.”

The Southern Plains are facing a different kind of threat Wednesday as the National Weather Service warns of critical and extremely critical fire conditions from the Texas Panhandle to Oklahoma and New Mexico as very strong winds and low humidity hit the area.