Date: 12/13/2015

We’ll see low level clouds burn off through the day under a fast moving transitory ridge. The next system has already moved onshore over California. A deepening trough bring snowfall back to our mountains starting midday on Monday. Flow will initially be out of the southwest, with the best jet support staying to our south. We should see a few inches during the day on Monday. Cold front passage and more favorable flow arrive Monday evening into Tuesday as the trough closes off and passes overhead. 5″ to 10″ looks like a safe bet by the time this system exits on Tuesday night.

Date: 12/12/2015

Yesterday’s forecasted storm took some time out of its schedule to slow down and remind weather forecasters who’s boss. No matter, snow is still on its way with snowfall rates picking up at about 3am this morning. Just much later then forecasted yesterday. The sun will rise this morning with a couple inches of new snow on the ground while the heavier precipitation rates will be during the first half of Saturday, mostly before 11am. Some models are still excited for today’s total snowfall with .8” SWE by 5pm. However the Low Pressure trough is currently digging further south than anticipated which is leading to cutting those total snowfall numbers slightly. A weak ridge will be moving into our area this evening leading to a drying trend for Sunday. Winds will be light through today before picking up from the north tonight.

Date: 12/11/2015

Just when we didn’t think it would ever snow again, the weather forecasts have some interesting changes in store through the start of next week. Currently there is a low pressure trough approaching from the west and a cold front stalling over northern Colorado. A number of weather factors are combining to produce enhanced snowfall numbers north of I-70 and I don’t know if it’s the weather forecasters that are more exited or those locals.

For our area we’ll have to mostly really on orographic snowfall from southwest flow for today’s accumulations. So we should pick up a few inches mainly west of Crested Butte today with continued strong winds from the Southwest. Late this afternoon and tonight we’ll get our share of enhanced snowfall before things start to quiet down as Saturday progresses. Winds will finally start decreasing also on Saturday as the low pressure trough moves over Colorado. A weak high pressure ridge will build as the trough heads east before the next system moves in early next week.

Date: 12/10/2015

High level clouds and winds will increase under westerly flow ahead of an incoming Pacific system bringing deep moisture. Favorable jet dynamics and a cold front are forecasted to stall over northwest Colorado, leaving us out of the bulls-eye for Friday’s snowfall. The influences of the jet won’t miss us though, with strong to extreme alpine winds at the front end of this system. The cold front then pivots through the Elk Mountains on Friday night, boosting snowfall and pushing our snowfall totals closer to a foot on Saturday in favored locations. A transitory ridge follows behind on Sunday, bringing a lull in weather before another system arrives Monday, bringing continued snowfall.