The American states of New Mexico and Colorado were hit by a snowstorm. Drivers experienced particular difficulties – about 100 vehicles were trapped in snowdrifts on one of the highways. The violent weather led to power outages. According to forecasts, snow is expected to fall until Saturday.
Nearly six million Americans in New Mexico and Colorado were under snowstorm warnings. Violent weather has accompanied these regions since Thursday and is expected to last until Saturday. It is expected that up to several meters of snow may fall in places. Meteorological services described storm snow as “powerful”.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Albuquerque, about 25 centimeters of snow has already fallen in places in New Mexico.
Cars got stuck in snowdrifts
Due to unsafe driving conditions, New Mexico State Police have closed several roads, including Interstate 25, which connects New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. More than 100 vehicles were stuck on the highway 64/87. One of the semi-trucks stopped across the road and snowdrifts formed on the road. Authorities fear the storm could also affect traffic on Interstate 40, which runs through Albuquerque.
In the area of Glorieta Mesa Mountain, at an altitude of 2,732 meters above sea level, snow fell continuously, covering the mountain roads.
Due to severe weather on Thursday evening, more than 30,000 customers in central New Mexico lost power, according to data on the PowerOutage.us website. On Friday morning, this number had decreased to nearly 18,000.
Main photo source: Reuters