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Early season snowstorm ravages New Mexico, Colorado

A major storm system is bringing a historic early season snowstorm to New Mexico and Colorado.

Some areas could see as much as 10 to 4 feet of snow as the storm system moves from the southwest into the western Plains.

A pair of maintenance workers clear a wet layer of snow from a hike as remnants linger from the first snowstorm of the season, Nov. 7, 2024, in Englewood, Colorado.

David Zalubowski/AP

A blizzard warning has been issued for parts of northern New Mexico, where a combination of high winds and snow could reduce visibility to near zero.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued two statewide emergency declarations this week in response to the storm.

“This declaration gives the state more resources to continue supporting local first responders as this major snowstorm continues,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement Thursday. “I thank every first responder who has been out in the cold since Wednesday to clear roads, get people to safety and do what needs to be done to support New Mexicans challenged by this storm.”

Since Wednesday, New Mexico State Police troopers have responded to “multiple calls” to help stranded motorists, the governor’s office said.

The state Department of Transportation and the New Mexico National Guard have been working to clear roads.

Big storm.

ABC News Illustration

Extra snow.

ABC News Illustration

In Colorado, 12 to 20 inches of snow has already fallen in several locations from Pueblo to Colorado Springs by late Friday morning as snow continues to fall.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Denver on Friday, where 3 to 6 inches of snow could fall.

Schools were canceled in Denver on Friday due to the storm.

Vehicles drive along Union Avenue in downtown Pueblo, NM, as snow falls, November 7, 2024.

Zachary Allen/The Pueblo Chieftan/USA Today Network

“Major” weather impacts are expected in eastern Colorado starting Friday, the Colorado Department of Transportation said.

“Conditions will worsen during the day and evening as heavy snow spreads northwest across the area,” the National Weather Service in Boulder said on social media. “Impossible to travel east and southeast of Denver!”

The same storm system is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Texas and Oklahoma, where flash flooding is likely on Friday. At least 5 centimeters of rain is possible locally.

As the storm system moves north and east on Saturday, the threat of heavy rain will move into the Mississippi River Valley, from Tennessee to Louisiana.

ABC News’ Melissa Griffin contributed to this report.