By STEVEN K. PAULSON
Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — A powerful storm that dumped heavy snow on parts of Colorado was tapering off in the northeast but warnings of wintry weather remained Monday for some central and southern areas.
The Colorado Springs public works department reported crews were busy clearing streets as a winter storm warning was expected to remain in effect there until about dawn.
Durango had been blanketed in 8.5 inches of snow by Sunday evening and the Durango Herald reported that the storm warning was in force in some southern areas until Monday night.
In the Denver area, where up to a foot of snow fell, dozens of churches canceled services Sunday, leaving phone messages or postings on Facebook asking members of their congregations to spread the word.
Forecasters predicted 2 feet or more of snow for mountain areas and western slopes of the Front Range by the time it stops falling on Monday, following a lull on Sunday with sub-freezing temperatures. Another round is expected in the middle of the week, lasting through next weekend.
Heath Montgomery, spokesman for Denver International Airport, reported 142 flight cancellations by Sunday morning, in addition to 185 on Saturday.
The storm has been a good snow-maker for the northern and central mountains with 10 to 15 inches at some resorts and a grand total over the weekend of 18 to 24 inches.
Boulder broke a record for the month, with 34 inches of snow compared with 32 inches three years ago.
Last year, Denver International Airport got 38 inches of snow for the season. This year, the airport had about 30 inches of snow before the storm began, and officials expect another 14 inches by Monday morning.
The Colorado Department of Transportation mobilized more than 600 snowplows and urged drivers to follow them up steep mountain highways to avoid spinning out. Some ignored warnings to stay home this weekend. DOT said ski traffic returning to Denver is heavy, with wait times on I-70 of more than an hour.
National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Kalina said Sunday that it’s a bit late in the month for heavy, lingering snow and low temperatures, but by no means a record for Colorado. March is usually the snowiest month along the Front Range.
“However, this is pretty good for February,” he said.
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