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Parts of Colorado are under a heavy blanket of spring snow

Posted at 6:27 PM, Apr 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-17 18:27:19-04

(CNN) — Colorado is living up to its reputation as state with a wild side — for weather, that is. A spring storm has brought enough snow to make even hardened residents take notice.

By Sunday morning, Denver had received 11.8 inches of snow so far, making it the second largest snowfall there this season, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris. Denver averages 8.9 inches of snow during April, so it’s already received 133% of its April average, he said.

Reports of up to a whopping 40 inches of snow were received along the Front Range.

Interstate 70 was shut down Saturday night because of heavy snow, but it has reopened, according to the Colorado DOT.

The amount of snow within a tight range was also widely variable, according to CNN affiliate KDVR. For instance, 35 inches of snow was reported in Golden, about 15 miles west of Denver, while Morrison, just 17 miles to the southwest, reported 3 inches.

An additional 6 to 12 inches is possible through Monday morning in the southern Rockies, Morris said.

This late snow was great news from some folks, with CNN affiliate KCNC reporting euphoric skiers at the Breckenridge’s Spring Fever Festival.

Meanwhile, in warmer climes …

Meanwhile, the eastern half of the United States is basking under a high pressure system that’s bringing warmer temperatures.

At 5 p.m. ET Sunday, Atlanta was enjoying a sunny day and 73 degrees with residents casting an eye more toward its hot and humid summers with winter well in the rear view mirror.