Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and record rains threaten central U.S.

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) — Severe weather, including snow, tornadoes and heavy rain, will impact the central United States from Nebraska to Texas for several days, meteorologists said.

Tornadoes have been reported in Colorado and Oklahoma, with record high rainfall and thunderstorms expected through Monday. Already a foot of snow has fallen in parts of Colorado.

A block of high pressure in the Colorado Rockies collided with a low pressure system that had been spinning through the region, causing the severe weather, meteorologists said.

Thunderstorms and heavy rains are the most common threats, but parts of Kansas and Nebraska are at risk for flash flooding.

Large hail is also expected in several states throughout the plains, with baseball-sized hail being reported in Dalhart, Texas and Burlington, Colo. on Friday.

The Colorado Rockies could see several feet of snowfall. Already on Saturday morning, a foot of snow had fallen.

Travel in the area is expected to become hazardous as roads slushy snow will make roads and airport runways slippery.

United Airlines cancelled all of its flights out of Denver International Airport adding to a total of 678 flight cancellations as of Friday night.

The severe weather is expected to continue to move east through Monday, as the low pressure system breaks down and eventually weakens.

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