Photos: Blizzard cancels flights, leaves motorists stranded in midwestern US

A powerful storm unleashed blizzard conditions and over a foot of travel-snarling snow across the midwestern United States to kick off the week.

The snowstorm began over the Rockies on Sunday, forcing nearly 200 flights to be canceled at Denver International Airport. Between 3 to 6 inches of snow fell around the metro area with higher amounts across the foothills of the Rockies.

Snow and wind intensified as the storm crossed the Plains Sunday night through Monday, dropping visibility to near zero at times and making travel nearly impossible.

The heaviest snow fell along a narrow swath from northwestern Kansas through Nebraska, northwestern Iowa and south-central Minnesota, with widespread totals of 8-14 inches. Locations a mere 50-80 miles northwest received little to no snow from the storm.

The National Weather Service in Omaha, Nebraska, reported thundersnow in portions of the state, along with wind gusts to 60 mph which caused extensive blowing and drifting snow and dangerous traveling conditions.

Visibility became so poor that the Platte County Highway Department in Nebraska pulled snow removal crews off the roads on Monday morning.

In Stanton, Nebraska, the snow fell and drifted at such a heavy rate that motorists became trapped in their vehicles. Drifts up to 5 feet were reported.

A snow plow clears snow off Highway 275 near Fremont, Neb., Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. High winds and blowing snow created hazardous driving conditions across the state. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton called upon the National Guard to help stranded motorists after a portion of Interstate 35 was shut down on Monday afternoon, the Star Tribune reported.

Portions of I-29, I-70 and I-80 were also shut down due to blizzard conditions.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported over 600 crashes and vehicle spinouts as well as dozens of jackknifed semi-trailers from midnight to 8:45 p.m. CST Monday.

Airline passengers also felt the effects of the storm. At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, over 500 departure and arrival flights were canceled on Monday, according to FlightAware.com. All of the airport's runways were shut down for a time as snow removal crews worked feverishly to clear them.

Dry weather will prevail for snow removal operations through Thursday as milder air moves into the region.

As the snow melts during the day and re-freezes at night, motorists and pedestrians should remain wary of isolated slick patches on roads and sidewalks.

A Bloomington, Minn. man uses a snow blows to clear his driveway in near white-out conditions Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Near whiteout conditions along Highway 31 southwest of Omaha, Nebraska. (Twitter/@TrpAOmaha)

Heavy snow and high winds created dangerous traveling conditions in Seward and Lancaster counties near Lincoln, Nebraska, on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (Twitter/@NSP_TroopHQ)

A wooden hut under construction is partially obscured by blowing snow in Fremont, Neb., Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Near whiteout conditions were reported along I-80 near Waverly, Nebraska. (Twitter/@NSP_TroopHQ)