Latest winter storm leaves cold, icy mess in Springfield

The worst of the recent winter storm in southern Colorado was felt in Springfield, the small town in the southeastern corner near the Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas state lines.

KRDO Stormtracker 13 meteorologists predicted the storm would affect the eastern Colorado plains but the heaviest blast hit on the Kansas side, where many roads remained closed Thursday.

Springfield residents said the storm began as rain at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, which froze as temperatures dropped and winds became stronger, and finally produced several inches of snow.

Authorities reported only six minor traffic accidents and plows kept U.S. 287, a busy truck route along Colorado’s eastern border, clear.

County roads and side streets remained snowpacked and icy, especially after sunset as melting ice and snow refroze.

The storm’s brief intensity reminded many residents of a blizzard two years ago Friday that dumped as much as 30 inches of snow, caused 15-foot drifts and killed an estimated 3,500 cattle in Baca, Otero and Prowers counties.

Many ranchers have large hay bales scattered in their pastures to ensure that livestock can obtain food during a snowstorm.