A winter storm is expected to bring the first snowy punch of the season to some parts of the Plains, but not before it had major impacts in the West.

Along the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada mountains, as much as a foot and a half of snow fell in western Nevada. This led to school closures, and the heavy, wet snow briefly knocked out power to more than 36,000 customers in northern Nevada, the Associated Press reported.

Inclement road conditions triggered multiple car accidents, as Reno Police Sgt. Zack Thew told the Reno Gazette-Journal, “We’ve definitely seen increased accidents” One incident resulted in the hospitalization of a motorist who lost control of their vehicle, skidding off the road.

Though most of the snow had melted in the valleys by Tuesday night, officials warned refreezing was possible on roadways, which could lead to icy conditions Wednesday morning, the AP report added.

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The storm brought much-needed early-season snow to an area that's been in the grip of a severe drought for several years. According to the National Weather Service, it was one of the biggest snow totals seen from any single storm in years.

"That one-and-a-half foot amount, that's very unusual for us," National Weather Service meteorologist Jon Mittelstadt told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "We've had four years of drought, and most of the storms we've had were warm."

The snow has also allowed multiple ski resorts to open for the season in western Nevada.

Now, the storm is pushing east. In Colorado, dozens of flight cancelations , according to FlightAware. Several school districts in eastern Colorado have canceled classes Wednesday as blowing snow conditions have become dangerous for drivers.

"As a storm system sweeps through the West, enough cold air and moisture are coming together to produce snowy conditions," said weather.com meteorologist . "Snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected in the Denver metropolitan area."

DIA crews are designed for roads and parking lots, as well as airside snow removal equipment, according to KUSA. Airline passengers should arrive at least two hours before departure time.

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Kyle Lester, director of maintenance operations with the Colorado Department of Transportation, told local media, "We’re ready to keep the roads open and safe, with our crews working around the clock until the storm has passed."

Local businesses were also getting ready for the storm. At Pi Kappa Cino Coffee in Sterling, Colorado, workers were checking heaters and preparing for an increase in business as the snow got closer.

"We always try to keep prepared for the winter, keeping extra water on hand and checking the heaters," owner Patricia Prescott told the AP. "Business normally picks up because everyone wants our warm drinks."

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