United States — A powerful winter storm is concentrating its most significant impacts across a four-state region spanning Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and the Texas Panhandle, where heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions are expected through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, a strong Colorado Low lifting northward into the Upper Midwest is driving a cold front south across the High Plains. Upslope flow along the eastern slopes of the Rockies, combined with deep Pacific moisture, is producing a focused band of snowfall across the central and southern High Plains.
The heaviest snow is expected from southeastern Colorado into northeastern New Mexico, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. Forecasts show widespread snowfall totals of 3 to 6 inches across the region, with localized accumulations of 6 to 8 inches possible near the core of the storm, particularly from southern Colorado into far western Kansas and northeastern New Mexico.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect across much of this four-state area, including locations near Pueblo and Lamar in Colorado, Clayton and Raton in New Mexico, Dodge City and western Kansas communities, and parts of the Texas Panhandle. Gusty winds accompanying the system may lead to blowing snow, reduced visibility, and rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Farther south and east of the snow band, areas of Texas are seeing rain and thunderstorms, while colder air wrapping into the system keeps snow ongoing across higher elevations and the High Plains. Travel impacts are expected to be most significant Friday evening into early Saturday, especially along major routes including I-25, I-70, and I-40.
The National Weather Service expects snowfall rates to gradually decrease late Saturday as the storm shifts east, but lingering slick roads and cold temperatures may persist into the weekend.
Residents and travelers across the Colorado–New Mexico–Kansas–Texas region are urged to monitor local forecasts, delay travel if possible, and prepare for rapidly changing winter weather conditions.
