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.
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