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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Deadly Snowstorm Sweeps Great Plains

Travelers drive in slushy conditions along U.S. 550 near Rio Rancho, N.M. (AP)

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WICHITA, Kan. – Forecasters are warning that pre-holiday travel could be nearly impossible in the Great Plains as heavy snow and fierce winds crawl deeper into the region.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday that about 10 inches of snow had fallen before dawn in western Kansas, and several more inches are expected as the storm continues east.

The storm has shuttered highways and filled hotels from northern New Mexico to Kansas, and the conditions are being blamed for at least six deaths. Two people died in an accident Monday along an icy road in eastern Colorado, while four people were killed in a head-on crash in New Mexico.

And nearly 100 rescue calls came in from motorists in the Texas Panhandle as blizzard-like conditions forced closed part of Interstate 40 late Monday.

Guest:

  • Ed Kieser, meteorologist
Other stories from Tuesday's show

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

  • http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/ Neil Blanchard

    The ground around my house is not yet frozen.  It has been briefly frozen on the surface twice now, but then it has thawed again.

    Given the forecast I kinda’ doubt it will be frozen on the *winter solstice*.

    Hmmm…

    Neil

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