Samira Qayyum digs out her car in Denver, Colo., on Thursday,
Oct.29, 2009. A slow-moving storm dumped more than 2 feet of
snow on parts of Colorado.  Check out our slideshow below for 
more amazing photos from the storm.  (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

A two-day storm that saw areas around Denver measuring snow in terms of feet has moved out of the area and onto the plains. The lingering effects of the storm will be felt Friday in terms of slick roads in Denver and blizzard conditions to the east.

The early winter storm, while not entirely unusual, was the first major snow storm of the season and put Coloradoans to the test. Mercifully, the snow never fell at a particularly heavy rate and while it lingered for a long time, it allowed road crews and residents time to stay on top of the snowfall. Most schoolchildren were pleased to have received at least one snow day from the storm and many were the recipients of two unplanned days off.

• Don't miss:  Incredible time lapse video - Denver's October 2009 snowstorm
• In pictures: Photos of the snowstorm from Examiner.com readers & AP news

At Denver International Airport, initial success at holding the storm’s effects at bay on Wednesday began to whither under the white onslaught on Thursday as winds picked up and the storm shifted east. Hundreds of flights were canceled from the airport’s major carriers including United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

At the height of the storm’s effects, the airport was reduced to two operating runways from the usual six and delays of up to four hours were occurring. All airlines anticipate being able to operate a normal flight schedule today.

How much snow did the Denver area receive? Here are some of the snowfall totals:

Aurora: 16 inches
Boulder: 18.8 inches
Broomfield: 20 inches
Centennial: 17 inches
Coal Creek Canyon: 46 inches
Denver International Airport: 12 inches (as of 6:00am Thursday)
Evergreen: 30 inches
Highlands Ranch: 24.5 inches
Littleton: 28.5 inches
Longmont: 12.4 inches
Parker: 14.5 inches
Thornton: 14.1 inches
Click here for a complete listing of storm reports.

A webcam in Thornton captured the storm at its peak.  Check
out our slideshow below for more amazing photos from the storm.
(ThorntonWeather.com)

The storm did push Denver into the record books and the ‘top 10 snowiest Octobers’ list. The National Weather Service will publish the official snow total from DIA for yesterday but even without the snow from yesterday, October 2009 makes the list. As of 6:00am on Thursday, DIA had recorded 14.5 inches for the month (12 inches from this storm). That makes it number 7 on the top 10 list for snowiest Octobers on record since 1882. Once today’s measurement is released, it is possible it will climb further.

The cool October is also likely to go into the record books as one of the coldest. The average October temperature through yesterday was 43.3 degrees. That puts it in a tie for the second coldest October in Denver on record. With cool weather to remain today and tomorrow, the month will certainly remain on the ‘top 10 coldest’ list although its final spot is yet to be determined.

On the plains of eastern Colorado, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect for the far eastern counties until 9:00am. Winds gusting to 50 mph will cause blowing snow creating hazardous driving conditions.
Virtually all interstates and highways in northeastern Colorado remain closed at this time including I-70 from Airpark Road to Burlington and I-76 from Brighton to the Nebraska border. Most school districts in on the plains in northeastern Colorado are closed today.

To the north, I-25 remains closed from Wellington near Fort Collins to the Wyoming border. In the high country, chain laws are in effect at the Eisenhower Tunnel and Loveland Pass. Just west of Denver, CO 93 is closed between Highways 128 and 170 due to high winds. Be sure to check CDOT’s website for the latest road conditions before heading out of town today.

The good news for Coloradoans is that as always, the weather changes quickly and conditions will begin returning to normal on Friday. The storm has moved out just in time for Halloween and the trick-or-treaters shouldn’t have any problems tomorrow night. For a complete look at the Denver weather forecast, click here.

 Related stories:

• Incredible time lapse video - Denver's October 2009 snowstorm
• Major early winter snowstorm continues to pound Colorado
• Latest snowfall and storm reports from Denver's October 2009 snowstorm