A significant snowstorm has struck Colorado, leading to widespread disruptions including the closure of schools, offices, and major highways. Denver, anticipating up to 2 feet of snow, has activated snow plows and the airport is bracing for flight delays and cancellations. This exceptional weather event has left individuals stranded on highways and caused over 53,000 homes and businesses across Colorado to lose power due to the heavy, wet snow. Denver’s mayor has remarked on the storm’s severity, noting its unusual nature for the city. Additionally, the Eldora Mountain ski resort has been forced to shut down due to the risk of snow slides.

The adverse conditions prompted Denver’s authorities to make efforts to clear the streets and have urged citizens to stay indoors and take necessary safety precautions. The storm, which is affecting other parts of the United States as well, is not expected to abate until Friday morning, with further snowfall anticipated.

Moreover, intense hailstorms have battered Kansas and Missouri, introducing strong winds, potential tornadoes, and unusually large hailstones, some described as “gorilla hail.” In Kansas, hail the size of softballs has been reported. These formations occur during thunderstorms, typically in the spring and summer months, due to strong updrafts that repeatedly carry droplets aloft where they freeze before falling. According to the National Weather Service, the occurrence of large hailstones is indicative of the updraft’s strength, with hailstones above two inches in diameter considered significant. Such weather events underline the necessity for vigilance and preparation, given their destructive potential. Hailstorms are known to cause substantial economic damage, with an annual impact of around $1 billion in damages in the U.S.