Wintery storm brings snow to Colorado, twisters to Texas

The National Weather Service is warning of extreme weather conditions today in a whole swath of states ranging from Northwest severe thunderstorms, blizzards in the Midwest with extreme storm conditions, snow storms in the Rockies, tornado watches in a few states and flash flood warnings in others.

DENVER – A powerful wintery storm blasted parts of Colorado with heavy snow on Tuesday while bringing the threat of tornadoes to millions in Texas, where a handful of damaging twisters had plowed through the Panhandle the day before.

Much of Colorado’s main east-west highway was closed because of blizzard conditions on the state’s Eastern Plains.

Truck driver Fernando Rendell said he was headed to Kansas City, Missouri, but stopped after seeing two trucks in the ditch along the slick interstate.

While Denver only got light snow, the snow has been heavier to the east and south of the Denver metro area. Wind gusts have been measured at more than 50 miles per hour.

Truckers trying to push south on Interstate 25 near Castle Rock, … No one was inside the building at the time, but hazardous materials teams were working to contain a chemical leak. Forecasters say a small tornado touched down before dawn Tuesday in North Texas, in the Keller area.

The National Weather Service in Seattle said the more brutal weather will probably start on last and Tuesday into Thursday. Downed trees blocked roads overnight and at least 10,000 customers remain without electricity across Los Angeles County.

A tow truck, right, pulls up to clear a tractor-trailer and sports utility vehicle stuck in snow on an off ramp off Interstate 70 as a winter storm packing high winds and snow blankets the plains Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Aurora, Colo.

Denver worldwide is warning travelers that delays can occur and to check flight status before heading to the airport, though things are returning to normal as the snow moves out of the area.