Snow showers continue for northern mountains into Friday; much warmer temperatures for Denver this weekend

Light to moderate snow showers have been affecting the northern mountain ranges Thursday afternoon, under a northwesterly flow of moisture, mainly along and north of the I-70 corridor.  While significant snow totals are not expected, some areas could do quite well.  Steamboat usually does the best in this type of setup, while Winter Park, Berthoud Pass, and the northern Front Range, as well as Vail and Summit County, also can do quite well.  For these areas, expect the slopes to freshen up nicely for Friday skiers.

Clouds steadily increased across the Front Range cities today, a by-product of the system affecting the mountains, but conditions will remain dry east of the mountains.  Temperatures were slightly warmer on Thursday (upper 30's in Denver, topping 40 in areas against the Foothills such as Boulder and Golden), but cloud cover made it feel chilly.  On Friday, the first day of March, temperatures finally begin to warm up in the Front Range cities following an extended period of below average temperatures.  Highs will reach the mid 40's in Denver under partly cloudy skies, although the eastern plains will stay a little cooler due to less exposure to downsloping winds (i.e. warming winds) off of the mountains.  On Saturday, the warm-up really begins in Denver as a ridge of high pressure moves in.  High temperatures will climb well into the 50's on both Saturday and Sunday, while even in the mountains, much warmer temperatures will be found, with highs in the mountain valleys approaching 40 both days.  The caveat is that strong winds will persist in the mountains, especially near the Continental Divide.


Weak system arrives on Sunday night into Monday

The next weather system moves into Colorado on Sunday evening, bringing light to moderate snow showers for the northern mountains and cooler temperatures to Denver.  The system does not favor precipitation for the Front Range cities, but Denver could end up seeing a strong bora wind event (i.e. cold downsloping winds off the mountains) as the cold front associated with the system passes through.  The potential for strong winds will be something to keep an eye on as we move closer to the event.  Snow totals don't look overly impressive for the mountains, but the northern mountains look to be favored again, with light to moderate amounts possible.

On Tuesday, a strong ridge of high pressure moves into Colorado, bringing sunny skies and spring-like temperatures to the state.  However, next Thursday, a strong storm system could affect Colorado, quickly bringing winter back to the state.  The quick switches between spring and winter weather become the norm for Colorado as we head into March, so the upcoming weather pattern is nothing unusual.  March is a critical month for moisture in Colorado, though, as it is our snowiest month on average, and right now, our snowpack is still well below average.

Chilly Thursday for Denver; light snow for the northern mountains

Sunny skies returned to Denver today under light winds, but temperatures remained chilly, only topping out in the low 30's (15 degrees below average for late Feb).  Temperatures are already well into the teens as of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night, so many parts of the metro area will likely see low temperatures dip into the single digits overnight.  Meanwhile, many areas in the mountains enjoyed fresh snow, including big totals for a couple of areas.  Powderhorn (located on the Grand Mesa) was the big winner, picking up 19" of new snow!  Steamboat also enjoyed an excellent powder day, with 10" on their morning snow report.  Other areas with solid snow totals as of their 6 am reports include Monarch (7"), Telluride (6"), Vail (6"), and Winter Park (6").

Another weak system will move into Colorado tomorrow, bringing a northwesterly flow and favoring the northern mountains with light to moderate snow through Friday (Steamboat likely to do the best, while the Front Range and Vail/Summit County could be decent as well).  Very windy conditions are also going to rake the Front Range mountains and northern Continental Divide on Thursday and Friday.  Clouds will increase in Denver tomorrow, but it will stay dry and cool with highs once again only reaching the 30's.  Clouds should help moderate Thursday night's lows, which should bottom out around 20 in the city (closer to 15 in the foothills and eastern plains).


Warmer, drier weather to arrive this weekend; next storm arrives Monday

A ridge of high pressure will move into Colorado on Saturday, pushing out any remaining snow showers in the northern mountains, and bringing milder temperatures, although the warm-up won't be as significant as previously expected.  High temperatures on Saturday will reach the upper 40's to near 50 in Denver (near average), and reach the mid 50's on Sunday, although clouds will be on the increase ahead of the next system.  The weekend warm-up will be brief, but combined with the higher sun angle of early March, will be enough to melt a lot of the snow that fell in Denver last weekend.

On Monday, a weak to moderate storm system will affect Colorado, likely favoring the northern mountains for snow again.  Temperatures will cool off in Denver as a cold front associated with the system moves through on Monday, but as of right now (keep in mind, though, this is several days out), it doesn't look like Denver will see much if any snow.  Looking long range, warmer and drier weather will move into Colorado by mid week, before the next storm system approaches on Thursday, March 6.

Good snow for some mountain locations, chilly temperatures in Denver through Friday

The Internet is down at the coffee shop where I am tonight, so just a quick update via cell phone. Powderhorn Ski Area (one of the smaller under the radar areas, located on the Grand Mesa not far from Grand Junction) is reporting 19" of new snow since 5 am! I wish I could take tomorrow off, or else I would be making that road trip in a heart beat. I also read a couple of reports that Steamboat received good snow today as well, but this is unconfirmed.

We saw off and on snow showers in Denver today that didn't amount o anything, though the Palmer Divide and foothills, and even areas east of town, saw a little more snow. A band of snow is moving through town right now, so we may see light accumulations, but nothing to get excited about (even less than the 1-3" that was being forecasted).

Tomorrow through Friday, the sun will make an appearance in Denver along with scattered clouds and continued below average temperatures. We'll see high temperatures around freezing in the city tomorrow after starting out in the teens in the morning. Temperatures will slowly warm over the next couple of days, reaching 40 by Friday. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, a ridge of high pressure moves in, and temperatures warm into the 50's under sunny skies.

The mountains will see light to moderate snow Thursday into Friday (still some uncertainty with the storm), but then mild and sunny weather will make an appearance on Saturday, making it feel a little like spring on the ski slopes for the first weekend of March. Snow chances will return on Monday, however, as the next storm system approaches.

Denver hit with 8-12" of snow over the weekend; another round of light snow for Tuesday

The sun comes out in Denver on Monday, Feb 25 following the weekend snowstorm

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE:  1-3 inches of snow for Denver this afternoon.  Snow showers should begin between noon and 3 pm, with the most snow expected to fall at higher elevations on the southern and western sides of the metro area.  Winter weather advisories are out for the western mountains (Steamboat to Vail to Monarch Pass and points west) for moderate snow accumulations.


Previous discussion...

The largest snow event of the season thus far hit the Front Range and Denver metro area on Sunday, bringing 8-12" of snow to most of the city, with even higher amounts reported in the foothills west of town.  The same storm system absolutely slammed Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas today with a historic blizzard (Amarillo, Texas received 19" of snow along with 65+ mph wind gusts!).  The system first arrived in the mountains on Saturday afternoon, lasting through Saturday night, with some areas receiving good totals (Monarch, Keystone, and Steamboat did the best), before winds shifted to the east around midnight, bringing heavy snow to the Front Range.  Roads were quite treacherous on Sunday, and were still pretty bad for many areas on Monday morning as well.  Monday brought sunshine and warmer temperatures, with highs reaching the 30's, but unsettled weather will return for Tuesday.

Storm system on Tuesday will bring moderate snow to the mountains, light snow to Denver

The next storm system will arrive on Tuesday, bringing a good round of snow to the mountains behind a northwesterly flow, with moderate totals expected for the northern and central mountains, with the Park Range/Steamboat, Vail/Beaver Creek, and the Front Range mountains likely to be favored the most.  As winds shift to the north on Tuesday afternoon, snow showers should develop in the Front Range urban corridor.  Not much accumulation is expected, but areas from Denver metro up to Ft. Collins should see around an inch or so.  Models are showing winds from approximately due north, but a slight wind shift either direction could alter snow totals for the metro area (northwest = bad for Denver snow, northeast = good for Denver snow), so check back in tomorrow morning to see if any changes have been made to the forecast.  The snow should conclude by about midnight, with overnight lows Wednesday morning expected to drop into the teens in the metro area, and upper single digits in the foothills.

Clouds hang around most of the week before sunny, warmer weather arrives for the weekend

Partly to mostly cloudy skies will continue for most of the state on Wednesday and Thursday, with slightly warmer temperatures each day (30's for Denver on Wed-Thur, 40's by Friday).  A weak storm system could affect Colorado on Thursday, but at the moment, models are in disagreement on the track of the system, and whether or not it will bring any snow.  A ridge of high pressure will move into the Rockies this weekend, bringing sunny weather and warmer temperatures for the first few days of March.  We could see high temperatures reach the 50's in Denver, which would melt a lot of the snow that fell this past weekend.

Major winter storm for Denver, good snow for most ski areas

Another quick update, but a winter storm warning is out for Denver for 6-10" of snow and 40 mph wind gusts. East of the city, blizzard warnings are in effect for heavy snow along with high winds. This is going to be a major storm, with nasty driving conditions.

It's currently snowing in Steamboat where I am, and most mountain areas are going to see a powder day tomorrow with 6-12" for many places. Highest amounts will occur in the northern San Juan's, Elk Range (Aspen), and Steamboat. Skiing conditions should be great tomorrow, but the commute back to Denver tomorrow afternoon is going to be brutal, with big powder hungry crowds along with heavy Front Range snow.

Winter Storm Watch for Denver

Quick update this morning. The storm track has shifted a bit, trending farther south, and a significant period of upslope is going to develop behind the cold front this evening, bringing snow to Denver. From tonight through tomorrow, 4-8" are expected to fall in the city, with more possible south and west of the city.

The northern mountains aren't going to see as much snow as originally expected, but Aspen to Monarch to Telluride (southern and central mountains) should still do quite well. I'm in steamboat for the weekend so will post any needed brief updates later.

More snow for Colorado this weekend

A potent storm system will move into Colorado Saturday afternoon, bringing a round of heavy snow to the mountains as the front passes, and bringing some accumulating snow to Denver and the Front Range cities as well.  Snow continued for much of the mountains yesterday, bringing excellent skiing and riding conditions.  Monarch picked up another 13", bringing their two-day total to 31", while Telluride picked up 10" (two day total of 21") and Wolf Creek picked up 13" (two day total of 28").  These areas are skiing the best in the state right now, which isn't to say other areas aren't skiing well.  Vail also reported 9" this morning, while Steamboat picked up 5".  Snow has continued for many areas today, with the main event coming tomorrow afternoon through Sunday morning.  Get out there and enjoy the powder this weekend.

Temperatures remained chilly in Denver today under mostly cloudy skies, although we're starting to see some clearing now.  Temperatures will drop into the teens for most areas tonight, but will warm into the low 40's under clear skies tomorrow.  Clouds will increase in the afternoon ahead of the approaching cold front which should reach the Denver metro area late tomorrow afternoon.  Once winds shift to the north-northeast behind the front, a round of snow will develop for the metro area with 1-3" expected in the city, favoring the south and west.  A secondary circulation south and east of the city will result in higher totals on the eastern Plains, with up to 6" possible, while a general 4-8" will be possible along the Palmer Divide.  Snow should end in Denver by Sunday morning, but cloudy skies and chilly temperatures will persist with highs not likely to get above freezing.

For the mountains, most areas are going to receive good snowfall with this next system.  The heaviest snow totals are expected for the Northern San Juan Range (Telluride, Silverton), the Elk Range (Aspen), the Grand Mesa, the Flat Tops, and the Park Range (Steamboat).  Moderate snow totals (on top of the good snow that has already fallen) are expected for the Front Range Mountains, Summit County, and Vail/Beaver Creek.

Looking ahead, a few light to moderate snow events are expected for the mountains from Monday through Thursday of next week.  Then, a ridge of high pressure will build into the state by Friday and persist through next weekend, bringing sunny skies and milder temperatures.  Below average temperatures will be found in Denver to start the week, but will moderate to near normal by mid to late week, before likely jumping above normal under the ridge of high pressure next weekend.  In other words, this weekend will be great for skiing powder, while next weekend could be a nice one to get outside in Denver and enjoy the warmer weather (or enjoy sunny weather on the slopes).  Such is life in Colorado... going from one extreme to the other.  We'll hope that stormy weather returns in March, though, for the sake of our snowpack.

I'm going to be in Winter Park and Steamboat all weekend, so hopefully I'll find time to post updates, especially with exciting weather occurring, but any updates will likely be brief.

Snow ends for Denver and Eastern Colorado; focus shifts to significant mountain snowfall through the weekend

Snowy scene in Denver on Thursday Feb 21

Much of Colorado received moderate to significant snowfall yesterday, with most areas east of the mountains receiving their largest snowfall to date this winter.  Snow totals are actually a little bit less than what was forecasted for Denver and for the eastern Plains.  Most areas of Denver saw 3-6 inches of snow, although higher amounts were seen in the southern portions of the metro area.  I haven't seen many reports from the Plains yet, but the NWS snow totals map indicated a general 4-8".  The Colorado Springs area over-performed with this storm and saw the most impressive totals east of the mountains, thanks to some heavy convective snow bands that moved through the area from the southeast yesterday evening.  The city of Colorado Springs received about 8 inches of snow, with 10 inches reported in Fountain.  Light snow showers redeveloped in Denver this afternoon, but the snowflakes were very light and dry, adding only an additional dusting of accumulation.  Temperatures remained quite cold in the city, with afternoon temperatures hovering the high teens to low 20's.

Because of the way the circulation was set up with this storm, many mountain areas saw significant snowfall yesterday as well.  It is fairly unusual for both the Front Range cities and the mountains west of the Continental Divide to simultaneously receive significant snowfall (usually it's one before the other, or often one but not the other), but the size, intensity, and location of the storm system allowed for this to occur.  Monarch Ski Area was the big winner, reporting 18" of new snow this morning.  Monarch's geographical location (Monarch Pass is on the Continental Divide between Gunnison and Salida) is conducive for receiving snowfall from westerly winds as well as easterly upslope winds, and it capitalized on both yesterday.  Wolf Creek also reported 15" this morning, as the storm initially brought heavy snowfall to the Southern San Juans behind southerly winds.

Later in the day, winds switched to the west and northwest as a pocked of moisture developed over the central mountains, producing heavy snowfall for Telluride (11"), Powderhorn (10"), Snowmass (9"), and Aspen (8") in addition to Monarch.  Summit County cashed in on moderate snow overnight as well, with Breckenridge picking up 5" and Copper Mountain picking up 4".  Snow has continued throughout the day for the northern and central mountains, and will continue for many areas through the weekend.

Snow continues to add up in the mountains, nearly all areas expected to receive significant snowfall Saturday night

We're looking at an awesome pattern for skiers and snowboarders right now.  Snow has been falling since Wednesday, and new snow is going to fall every day for most mountain areas in the state through Sunday.  Just about every ski area is going to receive good snowfall through the weekend, with light to moderate snowfalls adding up each day to make for a fantastic weekend.  Then on Saturday night, a stronger storm system will move into Colorado from the northwest, bringing heavy snowfall to most areas.  Sunday should be an excellent powder day, especially after several days of consistent snow.  On a statewide level, this weekend will likely offer the best skiing conditions since April 2011 for Colorado.  Obviously, that isn't the case for a lot of individual areas, but from an overall statewide perspective, it's a reasonable statement to make.  

There is no sugar-coating that for the second straight winter, our snowpack has been very low (even with a good February, we are still well below average this year), but lately, the skiing conditions have been much better.  Our low snowpack numbers right now are the result of an exceptionally dry November through early December, along with a very dry January, meaning we're in catch-up mode now.  Regardless, February has been nice and snowy, and the next few days are not only going to help build our snowpack, but they will offer powder conditions more like what we experienced in the big winter of 2010-2011, so if you like to ski powder, mark this weekend on your calendar... it may be the best conditions we see all season (though I certainly hope we see some big spring storms in March and April).

As for road conditions, they will deteriorate in the mountains Saturday night, and the Sunday afternoon commute back to Denver is going to be horrible because, 1) it's bad on a normal Sunday as is, 2) everybody and their brother who have been powder-deprived over the last two winters will be skiing the I-70 resorts on Sunday, and 3) the roads are still going to be snowpacked over the passes since snow is going to continue through the day on Sunday.  So be prepared and plan accordingly.

WRF Model forecasted snow totals for Colorado through Sunday afternoon

No major weather events for Denver this weekend, but conditions will remain unsettled

The main snow event is over in Denver, but clouds and below average temperatures are going to persist in the city through the weekend and early next week.  Friday, temperatures will rise into the 30's, but clouds are still going to hang around the area, and a few snow showers will be possible as a weak disturbance moves through.  On Saturday, skies will clear up early in the day, allowing temperatures to rise into the mid 40's, but a cold front will arrive Saturday afternoon/evening (associated with the heavy mountain snowfall expected), bringing clouds, colder temperatures, and strong winds off of the mountains (known as a bora wind event, which are strong, but cold downsloping winds off of the mountains associated with a cold front, as opposed to a warm Chinook wind).  There could be some snow showers after the front passes, but at this time, it doesn't look like it will be anything to write home about, as the wind direction will not be favorable.  Chilly weather with snow chances continue Sunday and Monday, but so far, it doesn't look like snow will be much of an issue for the Mile High city.

Long range:  Light to moderate snow chances continue for the mountains through Thursday of next week

After the main storm passes, as series of disturbances will bring a steady northwest flow and continued snow chances for the northern and central mountains from Monday through Thursday of next week, continuing a significant period of persistent snowfall.  By Friday of next week, it looks like high pressure may enter the picture, bringing milder and sunny weather to Colorado for the first weekend in March.  Keep in mind this is still a week out, though.  For Denver and the Front Range cities next week, temperatures start out below average but gradually moderate.  If the high pressure ridge reaches Colorado by next Friday as expected, sunny, spring-like temperatures would be favored for the Denver area for next weekend.

Snow continues overnight for Denver and Eastern Colorado

Radar image from 9:00 pm MST Wednesday night

The snowstorm affecting east Colorado continues overnight through Thursday morning, with previously forecasted snow totals still on track.  Snow began falling in Denver around 3:00 this afternoon, with periods of heavy snow at the onset making for what appeared to be a brutal afternoon commute on the highways across the metro area.  So far we have picked up about 2-3 inches in central Denver, with most of the accumulation expected to fall during the overnight hours.  

The National Weather Service is forecasting 4-8" for Denver metro, with the highest amounts along and east of I-25, and south of downtown.  For areas along the Palmer Divide, and areas farther east on the Plains, 6-12" can be expected, with 9-18" expected closer to the Kansas border.  Ft. Collins will be a little too far north and will only see a couple of inches, while Colorado Springs should generally see 3-6" with higher totals west of the city and north towards the Palmer Divide.  Mountain snowfall will continue for the Sangre de Christos and the Pikes Peak region as well, with up to a foot or more possible in these areas.

The snow should end for most areas by noon tomorrow, and temperatures will remain cold with highs topping out in the 20's.  Temperatures will gradually warm in Denver on Friday and Saturday (topping out in the 40's on Saturday), but clouds will hang around through the weekend and below average temperatures will persist through early next week.

Snow developing in the mountains behind the main system tonight and continuing through Friday; significant storm possible Saturday night into Sunday

The storm system affecting eastern Colorado and the Midwest is huge, and wrap-around moisture is developing west of the Continental Divide, bringing snow to the mountains.  West to northwesterly flow is going to continue through the day tomorrow for the mountains, and even into Friday, with a general 6-12" possible for most areas from Steamboat to Vail/Summit County to the Northern San Juans.  Some areas may be in for surprises depending on where the heavier snow bands set up.

After the weather clears out by late Friday, a significant storm will move into Colorado on Saturday night, bringing heavy snow to the mountains, likely favoring the northern and central part of the state.  Word is already getting out among skiers and snowboarders that Sunday could be a big powder day.  With late week snow through Friday along with the weekend storm, skiing conditions should be fantastic heading into the last week of February.  It looks like more unsettled weather and snow will be possible through next Thursday in fact.  It's too early to know if Denver will receive any snow from Saturday night through next week, but the mountains west of the Divide appear to be favored for now.

Major Winter Storm for Eastern Colorado Wednesday night; Denver now in line to pick up 6+ inches

Satellite image shows the storm moving into the Western U.S. as of 10:30 pm MST Tuesday

WRF Model forecasted snowfall totals through Thursday night

A major winter storm is going to hit Colorado tomorrow, dumping heavy snow across eastern Colorado beginning late tomorrow afternoon and lasting through Thursday morning.  The eastern plains are going to receive the heaviest snowfall, with up to two feet possible in Kansas and Nebraska (see the map above).  But thanks to a slight shift in the projected storm track, it now appears that Denver is going to get in the action as well, with six inches or more possible in the city.  In fact, less than an hour ago, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for Denver... believe it or not, this is the first Winter Storm Watch/Warning issued for the city this winter.  

The heaviest snow amounts in the metro area will actually be along and east of I-25, extending south toward the Palmer Divide.  The NWS watch is calling for 6-8" of snow for these areas of the metro area, with the models showing around the same amounts over the past couple of runs.  I think the higher elevations of the Palmer Divide may see closer to 10", though. The higher elevation western sections of the metro area are not likely to receive the most snow from this storm as is often the case, due to the farther east location of the storm, and less upslope precipitation enhancement from the elevation rise as a result.  Colorado Springs is also under a Winter Storm Watch, with 4-7" expected to fall there.  The drive on I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs will be nasty tomorrow evening, especially over the Palmer Divide.  Farther north, areas from Boulder to Ft. Collins are expected to see 3-5".

Wednesday Morning - Snow for the Southern Mountains

Snowfall will first reach Colorado overnight tonight and into Wednesday morning for the southern mountains.  Winds will be from the south, so the San Juans will pick up the most snow initially along with the Sangre de Christos farther east.  Under southerly winds, Wolf Creek and the southern San Juans should get the most snow, with models generally showing 8-12", while the Silverton/Red Mountain Pass area will likely see 4-8", while farther east the Sangre de Christos should do well, with 6-12" possible.

The southerly winds will block most of the moisture from reaching mountain ranges north of the San Juans, but thanks in part to the overall storm energy with this system, the air is going to be unstable over most of the mountain areas, so pop-up snow showers are likely to occur across most of the mountain areas, with spotty accumulations of a few inches possible in some areas, along with the possibility of thundersnow with some of these snow showers.  

Wednesday Afternoon/Evening - Snow spreads into Denver Metro and Eastern Colorado

As the center of the low pressure tracks into southeastern Colorado Wednesday afternoon, snow will spread into eastern Colorado, and as winds begin to switch to northeasterly, we'll see wrap-around snow bands begin to affect the metro area.  High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 30's in the city (after a morning low in the mid 20's), but temperatures will quickly drop as precipitation moves into the area.  Right now, it looks like the snow could begin around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., but if it comes any earlier it could certainly have an effect on the afternoon rush hour.

Farther east, heavier snow will fall, with 6-12" expected from Limon to Ft. Morgan to Sterling.  Even higher totals are possible farther east toward the Kansas border, in places like Burlington and Cheyenne Wells, where some areas could see more than a foot.  Areas on the plains may actually see precipitation begin as freezing rain, but the changeover to snow should occur fairly quickly.  Winds will also be an issue on the plains as usual, leading to blowing and drifting snow and possible whiteout conditions, although wind forecasts aren't high enough to warrant any blizzard advisories yet.

Snow should last through Thursday morning, when the storm will exit to the northeast, bringing huge snow totals to Kansas and Nebraska (and eventually Iowa) thereafter.

Snow chances for the mountains behind the main storm; another mountain snow storm possible this weekend

This is a very complex storm system, and as a result, the snowfall forecast for the mountains is very complicated with this system with inconsistency in model runs.  Wednesday night into Thursday, it looks like wrap-around snow bands from the main storm will extend into the northern and western mountains.  The latest model run shows the snow bands dropping further south with westerly winds bringing significant snow to the Grand Mesa, Vail/Beaver Creek, and Aspen/Elk Range region, while mostly missing out on Steamboat and the Front Range mountains.  However, with the wrap-around effect from the main system, there will likely be some northwest flow involved, so I think the northern areas will do better than what the models are showing.

At any rate, it looks like moisture will lag behind the main storm and cause snow to fall over parts of the Colorado mountains through early Friday.  Details on mountain snowfall late this week will hopefully be a little more clear tomorrow, but as of now, I'm expecting areas of north and central Colorado to do well.

Looking farther ahead, another storm should bring snow to the mountains on Saturday night and Sunday, possibly favoring the northern and central mountains (though it's still too early for details).  Then, it looks we could see another couple of storms next week as the active pattern continues.

Surprise powder day for some ski areas; Major storm system to bring snow to parts of Colorado Wednesday and Thursday

Winter Park powder turns (2/15/13)

Sunday night/Monday morning snow exceeds expectations for some areas

Most areas in the mountains were only expecting 2-4" overnight (with up to 6" in Steamboat), but the morning snowfall report for ski areas included 9" at Steamboat, 9" at Snowmass, 7" at Beaver Creek, and 6" at Powderhorn, making for a nice surprise powder day for these areas.  By midday today, Steamboat had actually reported another 4.5", bumping their total up to 13.5".  In Summit County, none other than Keystone picked up the most snow in the area with 4", and areas as far south as the Northern San Juans got in on the action as well, with Telluride picking up 5" and Silverton 4".  

Cooler (but not really cold) temperatures in Denver following a mild weekend

High temperatures in Denver were about 20 degrees cooler in Denver today, after topping 60 on Sunday.  Brisk winds during the afternoon certainly made it feel cooler as well.  Winds have calmed down, and tomorrow morning most parts of the metro area will wake up to temperatures in the teens.  Tomorrow, we'll see our temperatures warm up nicely into the mid 40's for most areas under mostly clear skies.  We'll start to see a few clouds move in tomorrow afternoon, signaling a change in the weather on the way for Wednesday.

In the mountains, temperatures will be relatively mild as well.  Most ski area base areas will see highs reach the 30's, while areas above 11,000 ft. will be in the 20's.  Clouds will be on the increase in the afternoon, from south to north.

Huge storm system moving into Colorado on Wednesday - San Juan Range, then the Eastern Plains set to receive significant snowfall... Front Range cities will mostly miss out

A major storm system is developing near the west coast as a trough of low pressure dives deep into southern California before quickly moving east toward Colorado, initially bringing heavy snow to the California mountains.  The storm will first reach Colorado Wednesday morning, bringing heavy snow to the San Juan Mountains, with Wolf Creek, Durango, and Silverton likely to be favored.  Winds will be from the south (almost due south), so the San Juan Range will act as a barrier, preventing most of the moisture from reaching ranges farther north on Wednesday.  However, the airmass across Colorado is going to be unstable on Wednesday (which speaks to the strength magnitude of this system), so there will be pop-up snow showers (can't even rule out thundersnow) across all mountain areas during the day Wednesday, but the most consistent snow will fall in the southern mountains, with spotty accumulations elsewhere.  

By Wednesday evening, most of the attention shifts to eastern Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, as the storm center moves east of the Rockies and tracks northeast, pulling in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and producing heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions over this region.  Parts of Eastern Colorado should see at least six inches, along with strong winds and whiteout conditions.  Farther east and northeast is where the heaviest snow will fall, and models are showing up to two feet of snow in parts of northern Kansas and Nebraska!  The main circulation will be a little too far east of Denver, so it doesn't look like we're going to get much snow out of this.  I do think we could see some light snow, but we'll be on the eastern fringe, so places like Aurora (rather than areas near the foothills) would be more favored in this event.  We'll see how the storm looks tomorrow, though.  I wouldn't completely give up on Denver for this storm, but at this point it is unlikely we'll see much more than light accumulations.

Northwest flow to develop behind the main storm, providing snow to the northern and central mountains

As the storm system tracks northeast, winds over northern and central Colorado will switch to northwesterly Wednesday night, and wrap-around snow will develop, bringing snow to the region.  Details are uncertain at this point, but it even looks like moist northwesterly flow could persist for a couple of days, which would be great news for many ski areas, bringing similar conditions to what was experienced late last week.  Steamboat/Park Range, the Front Range mountains, Vail/Beaver Creek, Aspen, and Telluride/Silverton are all in line to benefit from this pattern, and Summit County could also do well.  

More storms to follow in the medium to long range

We should see another storm affect Colorado this weekend, likely around Saturday night/Sunday, and the storm track looks active next week as well, with the possibility of more storms moving in right through the end of February.  This is great news for ski areas, as conditions have really turned around this month after a ridiculously dry January.  Most of the state is still experiencing a well below average snowpack, but snow conditions have improved dramatically over the past three weeks.

Exciting weather pattern ahead for this week

We've had a whirlwind of a holiday weekend so far, with awesome snow for the northern mountains late last week (great powder for skiers/boarders), mild temperatures and gusty winds for the Front Range on Saturday and Sunday, and now a cold front moving through bringing light snow to the mountains tonight.


Cooler weather returns to Denver after a mild weekend

Thanks in part to a strong downslope wind off the mountains ahead of the cold front now affecting the area, we saw temperatures top 60 degrees across the Denver area today.  The warm-up has come to an end, though, as a cold front has already passed by, bringing a chilly wind with it tonight.  Monday morning temperatures will generally be in the 20's across the metro area, but breezy conditions and scattered clouds throughout the day will make it feel slightly cooler than what the temperatures indicate.    Tomorrow afternoon, we'll see highs top out in the low to mid 40's in the city, while areas at the base of the foothills (Boulder, Golden, etc.) will only be in the upper 30's and also will experience stronger winds.  Up in the foothills, it will be a raw, windy day with highs only topping out around 30.

The breezy conditions will subside tomorrow evening, and we'll see a cold night with temperatures falling into the low teens across most parts of the metro area (maybe some single digit readings out on the plains).  However, we'll see a quick rebound with high temperatures reaching the mid to upper 40's on Tuesday and Wednesday (close to average for mid to late February).  We'll see a strong storm system affect southern Colorado beginning Wednesday, and it could bring some flakes to the metro area by Wednesday night/Thursday, but right now it looks like most of the snow will end up missing Denver to the east, while parts of the eastern plains could end up seeing a potent snow storm.


Light snow for the mountains overnight

A weak system responsible for the cooler air filtering in tonight will produce a round of snow showers for the mountains, favoring the north and central regions the most.  Accumulations will be light for most areas, in general 2-4 inches, with lesser amounts in the southern San Juans.  Areas from Steamboat to the far northern Front Range (Cameron Pass) could actually end up doing a little better, perhaps seeing up to 6 inches if they're lucky.  Not a big storm by any means, but enough to freshen up the slopes for some areas.


Potent winter storm aims for Southern Colorado on Wednesday

A large trough of low pressure will reach the state by Wednesday, favoring the San Juans with big snow potential.  Areas such as Wolf Creek and Silverton, and also Taos, NM, will be in line to rack up some impressive snow totals, with strong southwesterly winds.  The storm should intensify over eastern Colorado by Thursday as well, perhaps bringing some good snow to the Sangre de Christos and then the eastern plains (as mentioned above, the storm will likely miss most of the Front Range cities to the east).

As the storm begins to move out to the east, we should see some wrap-around snow develop over northern Colorado which would likely favor Steamboat, and depending on how strong the wrap-around is and how much available, could benefit the rest of northern and central Colorado as well.  Even after the main storm exits, it looks like a northwesterly flow could develop and persist for several days over northern Colorado, which would be awesome news for ski resorts and bring similar powder conditions that were seen late last week.  However, it's still a little too far out to be able to predict with any kind of certainty that this will happen, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on.  The weather pattern across the Rockies looks quite active through at least the end of February, which is great news, so hopefully we will continue to pick up some good mountain snowfall.

Dry and milder (but breezy) for Saturday; light snow for the mountains Sunday night; active pattern for late next week

Powder riding at Mary Jane/Winter Park on Friday Feb. 15

Northwest flow brings great snow conditions to the northern mountains

The Wednesday-Friday storm system this week brought excellent skiing conditions to many areas of northern Colorado.  Thursday and Friday were probably the best powder days since 2011 for many ski areas.  There was no one single big dump, but a few days of consistently light, dry snow added up for many areas.  Steamboat, Winter Park, Breckenridge, and Vail have all been awesome for the past couple of days, with a foot+ reported over a 2-3 day period at these places, and many of these mountains actually skied much deeper.  For instance, the upper mountain at Steamboat, Mary Jane at Winter Park, and Blue Sky Basin at Vail tend to receive more snow in these types of systems than what you see on the ski reports.  I was fortunate enough to ski at Winter Park yesterday from open to close, and it was easily my best day since April 2011.  The snow conditions at Mary Jane were just flat out awesome.

Unfortunately, weekend warriors who were not able to take off of work probably missed out on most of the fun.  Plenty of powder stashes will remain in the trees this weekend for the above-mentioned areas, but a lot of the main areas will be tracked out, and of course, with it being President's Day weekend, the ski resorts are going to be a zoo.  Loveland, A-Basin, and Eldora would be better bets for fewer crowds this weekend, but these areas are also getting hammered by high winds today and Sunday.  Loveland Pass, for instance, has already seen winds gusting to nearly 60 mph today.

This would be a good weekend to hit the backcountry, with awesome snow totals for many areas, but you'll definitely want to stick to lower-angle, avalanche-safe terrain thanks an unstable snowpack.  Additionally, high winds will also make backcountry skiers/riders want to stay below treeline.  It never ceases to amaze me how many tracks I see on avalanche-prone slopes near Berthoud Pass, even with a "Considerable" rated avalanche danger.  At any rate, 2-3 day snow totals (estimates for remote-sensored SNOTEL stations) for some of the backcountry areas include 25.5" at Buffalo Pass (Park Range, near Steamboat) and 16" at both Berthoud Pass and Cameron Pass.  The new snow is low density, and very powdery as well.  

Much warmer weather returns to Denver

It's a beautiful day in the Mile High city today, with temperatures in the mid 50's and clear skies, although it is quite breezy thanks to a downslope wind off the mountains (which is partly responsible for the warmer temps).  Tonight, temperatures will be relatively mild for February, with low temperatures in the city in the upper 20's, with higher values near the foothills (Golden, Boulder, etc.) where the stronger downsloping winds will keep temperatures milder.  Out on the eastern plains, however, the warm downsloping winds will have less of an effect, so temperatures will be colder (upper teens to low 20's).

Tomorrow, temperatures will be mild once again, reaching the upper 50's in the city and points east (lower 50's for Boulder-Golden-Morrison, etc.).  Clouds will be on the increase in the afternoon, though, ahead of the next system moving into Colorado later that night.  A cold front will move through Sunday night, and while it will mostly stay dry across the metro area, temperatures will be about 15 degrees colder for highs on Monday.

Light snow for most mountain areas (along and west of the divide) Sunday night

A weak storm system will move through Colorado tomorrow evening and overnight, producing a round of snow showers for most areas, though Steamboat and the Park Range will likely be favored.  Most areas will only see a couple of inches, but heavier bands could cause a few surprises for some places.  Nothing to get too excited about, but even a few inches of snow is nice to freshen up the slopes.  

Active pattern sets up across the West by midweek

Mid to late next week continues to look very good for Colorado (along with the rest of the west) as far as snow potential goes.  It looks like the next storm system will reach the state by Wednesday, initially producing good snow for the San Juans, and then the northern and central mountains should get in on the action.  Looking at the medium to long range models, the stormy pattern should continue through at least Sunday, with snow chances for the mountains every day between then (no details yet and who exactly gets snow each day).  This is great news for the ski resorts.  It'll be interesting to see how things pan out later in the week as we get closer to the event, but hopefully most areas will be in good shape again by next weekend.  After a bone dry January for the ski resorts, February sure has been an improvement.

Snow delivers for Steamboat, Winter Park, others

Most areas of northern Colorado saw snow today, including the Denver metro area.  A cold front moved through the Front Range this morning, dropping temperatures into the 20's for the remainder of the day and bringing several hours of light snow.  The snow was consistent in Denver, but was mostly light and accumulations were less than an inch where I live near Wash Park.  Closer to the foothills, places like Golden and Boulder picked up more snow.  I saw one report of 3 inches in Boulder.

In the mountains, Steamboat and Eldora reported 4" and Winter Park 5" on the 6 am snow reports, and I heard reports of another four inches falling at Winter Park by midday, and I also heard that many areas of Winter Park (i.e. Mary Jane) and Steamboat were skiing much deeper than the snow reports indicated.  I also hear that Breckenridge was skiing well today, so parts of Summit County may have done better than forecast.  Additionally, I saw some pictures from Loveland which indicated they were getting some good snow.

The snow tapered off this afternoon once winds switched to the northeast (which brought snow to Denver and Boulder instead), but another round of snow will move through the northern Colorado again overnight into Friday, bringing as much as several inches to some of the same areas that saw snow last night and this morning.

Models indicate an additional 5-10" for Steamboat and the Park Range as well as the Front Range Mountains from the Wyoming border southward to Loveland Pass and the I-70 area.  I expect Steamboat, Winter Park, Loveland, and Eldora to have the best snow conditions tomorrow out of the ski resorts (and maybe A-Basin as well).  Eldora could have the best "under-the-radar" powder day, since they have been receiving both "spill-over" snow crossing over the Continental Divide (Eldora sits east of the divide), as well as upslope snow today from the east.  Summit County and Vail should see a few more inches as well... overall probably not as much as the Front Range, but there could be a few surprises in this region.


Dry, warmer weather for the weekend, but very windy for the Front Range mountains

Temperatures will start out in the teens around the metro area tomorrow morning (upper single digits in foothills), and are expected to warm into the 30's tomorrow afternoon.  We aren't likely to see much sun tomorrow, though, as the system I mentioned above moves through northern Colorado and produces cloudy skies.  This weekend, a high pressure ridge moves in and temperatures will warm up dramatically on Saturday after a chilly start (morning low in the teens, afternoon high in the mid to upper 50's!).  Highs will be in the 50's again on Sunday, before a cold front cools things off on Monday.  All in all, it should be a beautiful holiday weekend in the city.

In the mountains, we will see milder temperatures as well, but it's also going to be windy, especially for the Front Range, under a strong westerly flow.  Ridge tops and mountain tops will likely see wind gusts of over 50 mph on Saturday and Sunday, so skiers/riders at places like A-Basin, Loveland, Winter Park, Eldora, and even Breck and Keystone, should be prepared.  I wouldn't be surprised to see some closures at high lifts such as Chair 9 at Loveland and Panoramic at Winter Park.  The Front Range mountains will see the strongest winds, but areas farther south along the Continental Divide will see strong winds as well.

As far as temperatures go, base areas will likely see highs reach the 30's, while higher up, the winds will make things feel much colder, so don't be fooled by the mild base area temperatures.  In the backcountry, warmer temperatures may help to settle the snowpack a little bit below treeline, but strong winds above treeline coupled with the recent snow, will create dangerous wind slabs.

The next storm system will reach Colorado on Monday, but this looks like a fairly weak system that will only give northern and central Colorado a glancing blow, perhaps dropping a few inches of snow.  By the middle of next week, a more potent storm will affect the area, and things look active through next weekend.  This is still a week away, but the models have consistently been hinting at this, so it will be something to keep an eye on.

Next update coming on Saturday...

Light snow possible in Denver Thursday; Steamboat to pick up good snow through Friday

It was a little chillier than expected in Denver today thanks to gusty northwesterly winds part of a system moving into the northern Colorado mountains more quickly and with more energy than expected.  Tomorrow morning, a cold front will pass through the metro area around 10 a.m., bringing in clouds for most of the day.  Temperatures will rise little if any after the front passes, and we'll see high temperatures struggle to reach the freezing mark.  By tomorrow afternoon, under northeasterly winds, light snow is expected to arrive, and could be enough to make for a slow afternoon commute.  Snow totals will likely only be an inch or so for most (perhaps a couple of inches in the foothills), so this is nothing to get real excited about.

On Friday, unsettled conditions and clouds will remain in Denver with a few snow showers possible as the next leg of the system moves through Colorado, but there won't be much moisture to work with east of the Divide.  High pressure returns this weekend, and sunny skies and milder temperatures will return, with highs in Denver reaching the 50's on both Saturday and Sunday.  On Monday, temperatures will fall again as the next system moves through, perhaps bringing some snow to the city depending on the exact track of the storm and the amount of moisture available. 

Good snow for Steamboat, moderate snow for other parts of Northern Colorado

The storm system came in earlier and stronger than expected today, and it has been snowing in Steamboat for most of the day from what I have heard, and should continue into Thursday.  The second leg of the system will move through overnight Thursday into Friday, and while this leg doesn't look quite as strong, it should still favor Steamboat and the Park Range quite nicely.  The Steamboat region should see 10-15" total by the time things clear out Friday afternoon, and honestly I wouldn't be shocked if this storm over-performs and Steamboat gets one of its famous surprise big dumps with northwest winds and moisture hanging out over the Park Range through Friday.  

The Northern Front Range, including Cameron Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park, should see about 5-8", while areas farther south from the Indian Peaks to Berthoud Pass to Loveland Pass should see 3-6".  Summit County will likely miss out on most of the snow again, with only 1-4" expected, but Vail could end up with 4-8".  These are model-forecasted snow totals, but I'm inclined to think that Steamboat and the Front Range Mountains from Cameron Pass south to Berthoud Pass will do better.  Northwest winds, a northerly storm track, moisture, storm energy, and a relatively long duration should favor these areas.  I also think the forecast for Vail may be a bit too high.  I'll be interested to see how the actual snow amounts compare to the model forecasts.

At any rate, if you're looking to ski powder on Friday, Steamboat will be the place to be.  For backcountry skiing/riding, the Park Range, Cameron Pass, Berthoud Pass, and Rocky Mountain National Park should all be excellent this weekend.  Please be mindful of increasing avalanche danger, though, especially as the January weak layer continuing to be a problem.

Active pattern for next week

After a dry (but blustery in the mountains) weekend, the next storm system will affect Colorado on Monday (President's Day).  This no longer looks like a real impressive system, but nevertheless should bring light to moderate snow to parts of the state.  By the middle of next week, a better-looking storm will arrive, and in fact, it looks like next Wednesday through that weekend could be quite stormy for the mountains, which is great news for skiers and boarders.

Steamboat, northern mountain ranges in line to pick up good snow on Thursday and Friday

Today, we are in between systems as dry weather has entered the region for the time being, but unsettled conditions will return to the mountains tomorrow ahead of the next system.  A storm is expected to impact northern Colorado on Thursday and Friday, and it is looking better today than it did yesterday.  This is great news for northern ski areas, many of which could end up seeing powder days on Friday.  There will be enough moisture present tomorrow for snow showers to kick up around Steamboat and the mountains north of I-70, with scattered light accumulations possible for higher elevations.

However, the real action will begin on Thursday, when the first part of the storm system moves in.  There will be two main shots of energy from this storm, one on Thursday and one on Friday.  Models seem to be coming into agreement about the first part of the storm Thursday, while there is still some uncertainty with the second part (but hints that it could be even stronger than the first part... we shall see).  Right now, it looks like Steamboat and the northern Front Range near the Continental Divide (Cameron Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.) could see a foot or more of snow through Friday morning, while Summit County and the central Front Range mountains (Berthoud/Loveland Passes) will likely be in the six-inch range, with locally higher amounts possible.

By tomorrow, there will be a better idea of expected accumulations for these areas, and it also remains to be seen how much snow the second part of the system will bring on Friday.  Steamboat will likely have the best snow of the ski resorts on Friday, while Winter Park, Loveland, A-Basin, Breck, Copper, and Vail will all be in play for powder days as well.  Areas in central and southern Colorado are not likely to see much if any snow accumulations from this system.


Colder temperatures return to Denver on Thursday

It's a beautiful day for the Front Range cities today, with the return of clear skies and temperatures in the low 40's in most places this afternoon.  Temperatures will be a relatively milder tonight (low to mid 20's as opposed to teens) thanks to a weak downslope off the Front Range (winds descending a mountain range = warming of the air), and tomorrow we'll see high temperatures push 50 under sunny skies.  Not as mild as last week, but certainly comfortable for mid February.

On Thursday, a cold front associated with the system I mentioned above will bring clouds and much colder temperatures to the metro area, with highs only reaching the low to mid 30's (likely early in the day).  We may see a round of upslope snow in the city Thursday afternoon following the frontal passage, but once again, only light accumulations are expected for now (perhaps an inch or two for the foothills).  Friday will be chilly as well, with continued cloudiness and perhaps a chance of snow depending on what happens with the second part of the storm system, which is still uncertain for now.


Dry weather this weekend followed by a possible President's Day storm on Monday

This weekend, sunny skies and westerly winds associated with a high pressure ridge will move into the state, and beautiful weather will return to the city for President's Day weekend.  Temperatures will rebound from a chilly start Saturday morning, reaching the upper 40's, and by Sunday, we should be in the mid 50's.  The temperature roller coaster will continue on Monday however, as the next storm system moves in.

Models have consistently been showing another storm system moving into Colorado on Monday, but it is still too early to know where the best snow is going to fall (even Denver and the Front Range cities and foothills will be in play).  The good news is that it will snow somewhere in Colorado, and another system will be following on its heels Wednesday... and a continued active pattern looking even farther ahead.

Sunshine to return to Colorado on Tuesday

Gore Range views on a sunny day from Meadow Mountain, near Minturn (2/8/13)

Southern storm dumps heavy snow on the San Juans Sunday night into Monday

Skiers and snowboarders who were lucky enough to be in Wolf Creek today likely enjoyed a phenomenal powder day, with 16" of new snow as of this morning's snow report and 40" over the past three days!  Additionally, Durango Mountain reported 14", while Silverton saw 8" and Powderhorn 7".  Snow continued in the southern mountains today as the storm moved east, with more of the precipitation concentrated in the Sangre de Christos and southern foothills.  Colorado Springs got in on a little of the action as well, picking up a couple of inches today.  Winter weather advisories remain in effect for the Sangre de Christos tonight, as well as the southeastern Plains, but the storm will have exited Colorado by tomorrow morning as it moves into west Texas and Oklahoma, bringing snow to those areas.

Tuesday morning, temperatures will be below zero for many mountain areas west of the divide, and temperatures will remain chilly, though not bitterly cold, through the day as the clouds begin to clear.  Winds may be a little breezy at times at the higher elevations, but will generally be light.

Sunshine returns to Denver on Tuesday

It was pretty cold in Denver today with overcast skies and temperatures only topping out around 30.  Most parts of the metro area will be in the low teens tomorrow mornings, but in the foothills and eastern plains, it will likely be in the single digits.  Skies will clear overnight and the sun will return tomorrow, warming temperatures into the upper 30's (while chilly, it will feel much more comfortable thanks to ample sunshine and light winds).  Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week with temperatures rising into the upper 40's in the city.  However, the warming trend will be short-lived as a cold front reaches Colorado on Thursday, bringing colder temperatures and perhaps some snow.

Snow possible for Northern Colorado, Front Range on Thursday/Friday

A storm system will skirt the northern and northeast portions of Colorado on Thursday, bringing unsettled weather on Thursday through Friday.  This system is going to be a close call, depending on how far east and/or north of us it tracks (some disagreement in models).  The best thinking at the moment is that Steamboat and the northern Front Range (Indian Peaks, RMNP, Cameron Pass) will get in on the action first (on Thursday), and then after the cold front passes through northeast Colorado and winds switch to northeasterly, Denver and the eastern Front Range foothills could see a round of upslope snow.  This will likely be a light-to-moderate snow event overall, but it's too early to tell.  Additionally, the northern mountains could see some initial snow showers ahead of the main system on Wednesday, thanks to available moisture and favorable winds.

Dry Saturday and Sunday, possible mountain snow storm for President's Day

Looking farther ahead, after the system I mentioned above exits the state by late Friday, dry and sunny weather will return for the weekend.  However, this stretch of dry weather will likely be short-lived as models indicate a low-pressure system moving into the central Rockies on Monday the 18th (President's Day).  Even better news for the long term is that it looks like yet another system will move in just a couple of days later.  After a bone-dry January, it sure is nice to see a weather pattern develop that brings in storms to the area every few days.  Let's hope that this trend continues and that we can start to make up for our snowpack deficit.