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.