Winter Storm Anya hammers Colorado, New Mexico

A severe winter storm has triggered a blizzard warning as it hits parts of New Mexico and Colorado with heavy snow and strong winds, causing tree damage, power outages and traffic delays along portions of the Interstate 25 and 40 corridors.

This system was named Winter Storm Anya by The Weather Channel due to the severity of its impact on this region.

Current status, reports

Snow will fall through the mountains and lower elevations in northern and central New Mexico and southeast and east central Colorado.

The highest totals in any state so far are 34.7 inches near La Veta Pass, Colorado, and 24 inches north of Edgewood, New Mexico.

L​as Vegas, New Mexico, had accumulated 30 cm of snow by early morning, more than half of its annual snowfall average of 22 inches. Nearly 10 inches of snow has accumulated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the weight of the snow has snapped some tree branches.

Various winter storm warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for portions of these states, including a blizzard warning for northeastern New Mexico.

Snow forecast totals, impacts

The highest amounts of snow will be in northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Colorado, where 1 to 3 feet (locally up to 4 feet) could occur in some locations. Drifts of up to 6 feet are possible in these areas.

According to NOAA's Winter Storm Severity Index, this area is expected to experience the heaviest snowfall, with severe to extreme impacts due to the combination of snow and strong winds. These impacts include power outages, tree damage, and possible roof collapses due to snow load.

Sections of Interstates 40 and 25 were already heavily impacted by snowfall. including some closuresand it will probably stay that way until Friday.

Denver could see 6 inches or more of additional snowfall from this storm by early Saturday. The southern portions of the metropolitan area into the Palmer Divide are at greatest risk for the heaviest accumulations.

Timing the storm

-​Until Thursday evening: Northern and central New Mexico and eastern parts of Colorado will be severely affected.

-​Friday-Friday evening: Snowfall should ease in central New Mexico, but will continue in northeastern New Mexico and eastern Colorado.

-​Saturday: The worst of the storm will be over, but northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming could see some snow showers.

Totals could approach records

According to the National Weather Service, the amount of snow falling in a few locations could reach three-day records for New Mexico.

-L​as Vegas: The current record snowstorm is 27 inches and was set in 1958. The records date from 1940.

-R​aton: The current record snowstorm is 26.5 inches and was set in 1990. The records date from 1953.

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist at Weather.com for over 10 years, having started his career at The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.