Second heavy spring snowstorm melts quickly in Teller County

Residents around Woodland Park and Divide are eager for spring weather but equally glad that two big snowstorms have brought welcome moisture to their drought-stricken region.

“We don’t want fires this summer,” said resident Katie Leach. “I think it’s great.”

Steady, heavy snow fell on the area late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, leaving a slick, snow-packed layer on streets, roads and highways.

But as was the case during a similar storm on March 24, accumulations on driving surfaces quickly melted.

By lunchtime, most pavement was only slushy or wet.

The latest storm arrived as Garry Nolan, a Texas resident, was visiting relatives in Woodland Park.

“I think the last time we had snow in Corpus Christi was in 1994 and it was more of a freeze than a snow,” he said. “Before that, I think the last snow was in the 1970’s. So this is amazing to me.”

The wintry weather was less amazing to some parents who were forced to change plans after schools were canceled.

“I didn’t expect it, to be honest,” said parent Jenny North. “The roads seemed to be OK.”

Nicholas Hoatland said his wife was unaware of schools closing until she arrived at school to drop off her kids.

“She got there and they were closed,” she said. “The school’s website didn’t say anything. She went through a lot of effort to get the kids ready and then make it through the snow.”

The heavy, wet snow was a challenge for plow drivers and for people using snow blowers and shovels.