Threat of flooding in Midwest following snowstorms

Snowstorms have been pummelling the US's Midwest, with freezing weather conditions snarling up traffic and covering motorways with dangerous sheets of ice. Although warmer weather is expected, meteorologists say it will bring rain, even thunderstorms and the possibility of flooding. Runoff from heavy rainfall and the melting of the snow and ice already on the ground, along with the soil only able to absorb a minimal amount of moisture due to being mostly frozen, will create the potential for significant flooding. Earlier, winter storm warnings were issued for parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas, and a blizzard warning was is in effect for the mountains of southwest Colorado. Up to 20 inches of snow was forecast in parts of the Rockies, along with wind gusts of up to 80 mph. Most roads and motorways in the Chicago area were covered over with ice with one closed for a time because of the freeze.