Winter Storm Heads East

A powerful winter storm left Colorado with up to 6 feet of snow in the Rocky Mountain foothills and forced the cancellation of more than 600 flights in Denver before heading east toward the central plains.
Blizzard conditions that hit the eastern Colorado plains, including 5-foot drifts in parts of Elbert County, began easing with forecasters advising of blowing snow early Saturday.

Light snow was falling intermittently in the Denver area early Saturday, but was expected to taper off by midday as the bulk of the storm moves out of the state, forecasters said

The winter storm warnings have expired in Colorado, but the several counties in the state's eastern plains remain under a blowing snow advisory.

However, a winter storm warning was issued for parts of western Nebraska and northeastern Kansas and into southeastern Iowa. A blizzard warning remained on Friday for four counties in western Nebraska.

A band of heavy snow stalled over Nebraska, dumping nearly 13 inches in some spots.

Near-zero visibility forced officials to close all 160 miles of westbound Interstate 70 between the Kansas state line and metro Denver. A 70-mile stretch of eastbound I-70 from metro Denver to the plains town of Limon.

The snow was a welcome boost to several ski resorts that have suffered below-average snowfall this season. But while Echo Mountain and other resorts close to Denver celebrated up to 14 inches of new snow, the storm only dusted larger resorts, such as Vail, with a few inches in the central Colorado mountains.

Snow Heading to Plains, Midwest

A powerful winter storm system that could leave a dozen inches of snow behind has been forecast for Nebraska and portions of adjacent states.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of Nebraska, southeast Wyoming, northeast Colorado, northwest Kansas and western Iowa. A blizzard warning has been issued for several counties in west-central Nebraska, starting Friday afternoon.

The service says the storm is expected to move into Nebraska late Thursday night and last into Saturday.

Flooding in Midwest Causing Many Problems

It's a race against the water up and down the Missouri River, as towns in several states are grappling with flooding.

In Iowa, the deluge is threatening levees, which are already being reinforced.
          
Workers in Iowa are scrambling to add height to a levee in Hamburg.  It's the only barrier that will keep the rising Missouri River out of the town.

The water is  already within sight.

For many people in that area, the devastation is already setting in.
"I'm without a home, living with my kids, all my stuff's in a semi. No job, where I work they closed up," says one man.

Farmers are preparing, hopefully they won't get bad news.

"It's been emotionally draining for friends who are out there on the bottom. Devastating to have to move out of your house on the bottom," one man said.

If this levee isn't strong enough, parts of this southwestern Iowa community could be covered by as much as 10 feet of water within days. And the high water could linger for months.

"Take it one day at a time, I don't know from there," one resident of Hamburg says.

Iowa drivers are being pushed as far west as possible , with closures on two major interstates.

Parts of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota have already seen some flooding, and officials predict the problems will linger through the summer.

Big XII Basketball Play of the Day for 2/26/11: Iowa State

A pick em game today in Ames.  Nebraska is looking to improve on their 18-9 record and Iowa State is looking to earn their second conference win.

Neither team has much going for it in the trends department, I just think we may see some good ole Hilton Magic today as the season draws closer to tournament time. 

The Cornhuskers won earlier this season by one point in Lincoln.  Look for the Cyclones to get some much needed revenge today.

Prediction:  Iowa State and the Under today in Ames.

10/30/10 College Football Plays of the Week

Iowa and Nebraska this week.

Michigan State comes to Iowa City undefeated.  If Sparty could win this game they would cruise to a Big 10 Championship.  They problem is they are at Iowa and that will be the difference.  Look for a close game for the first half and then Michigan State which has been living dangerously this season will hit reality.  Iowa is giving the Spartans 6.5.  It's not enough, Iowa will win by 12.

A similar situation happens in Lincoln, Nebraska this weekend.  Missouri comes into town on a roll.  They are undefeated and leading the Big XII North.  Nebraska stands in their way and Nebraska here is favored by 7.5.   Missouri is coming off a win against Oklahoma and it's only natural to have a bit of a letdown.  Nebraska's D dominates this game and  they cover the 7.5. 

A bonus pick for late Saturday night is the OVER in the Hawaii vs. Idaho tilt.  Way over 64!