Mountain Weather For 11,000FT. Sunday 4/19

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/19/2020

Unsettled weather is the name of the game right now. Overnight, several bands of moderate snowfall moved through the Crested Butte area dropping off 3 to 5 inches across the forecast area, as of 430 am, with the potential for a couple more inches at upper elevations. For today light snowfall will be on the menu with the potential for shorter periods of moderate-intensity snow if daytime convection helps to create instability. Temperatures will remain on the mild side pushing into the low 40’s at 11,000 feet. Westerly winds continue to blow at moderate speeds near ridgetops with just enough strength to move some snow around.

Weak waves of moisture continue to stream towards Colorado for the first half of the workweek. Each day another disturbance will move through and drop off light accumulations. Tuesday looks like the strongest of the short-waves passing by. No individual system looks to accumulate more than a few inches, but expect high elevation terrain to see snowfall totals stack up with each successive storm. If you were looking for beautiful spring weather this week, you will have to wait a bit longer before the weather pattern changes.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 39 to 43
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 22 to 25
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 40 to 44
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 1 to 3″
    Elkton Snow: 1 to 3″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 3″

Mountain Weather For 11,000FT. Saturday 4/18

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/18/2020

The unsettled weather pattern will continue to push moisture into the Crested Butte area today. Very light snowfall has begun around Irwin but no accumulations to speak of at 5 am. Expect light snowfall for Saturday with the potential for periods of moderate showers in the afternoon if springtime convection kicks in. Light snowfall will continue into Saturday night with another pulse of moisture moving over the area on Sunday. Currently, the high end for accumulations through sunset on Sunday look to be around 8″ for the highest terrain with lesser amounts for low elevations around Crested Butte. Temperatures will remain moderate with highs coming near or above the freezing mark for 11,000 feet.

The overall weather pattern for the next week looks very active. Yet another round of light snowfall is forecasted for Monday. Small storms and disturbances will impact the area over the next week bringing light daily accumulations, but the frequent snowfall will slowly add up particularly for higher elevation terrain by the end of the week.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 34 to 38
    Winds/Direction: 8 to 18, W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 1 to 2″
    Elkton Snow: 1 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 2″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 20 to 24
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15, W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 1 to 3″
    Elkton Snow: 1 to 3″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 3″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 36 to 40
    Winds/Direction: 7 to 17, W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″

Mountain Weather for 11,000ft. Friday 4/17

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/17/2020

Overnight dryer air has moved in, allowing mostly clear sky to start the day with a few low level clouds passing through the peaks. Upper elevation winds will keep gusting into the 40’s, before starting to decrease later in the day. 11,000ft winds have already calmed considerably from yesterday. High temperatures today at 11,000ft look to reach up around the freezing mark.

Looking into the weekend we have two small storms that will bring unsettled weather. Saturday’s storm comes from California on southwest flow. This will allow some warmer air to move in and we’ll see high temperatures rise a few degrees. Clouds will have increased on Saturday and snow accumulations look light. The chance for snow accumulations looks a bit better late Saturday and on Sunday, while the next little storm will be working its way down from the northwest for the end of the weekend. All and all, there is some unsettled weather for the weekend with snow accumulations that could slowly add up through this period. The chances for snow further continue into the start of next week.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 31 to 35
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0
    Elkton Snow: 0
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 18 to 22
    Winds/Direction: 2 to 12/SW
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0
    Elkton Snow: 0
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 33 to 37
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2

Mountain Weather for 11,000ft. Thursday 4/16

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/16/2020

Well we got most of the things, moisture, an unstable atmosphere, jet support, cold front, now we are just waiting for the things to do their thing and produce that snow! Snowfall started around midnight with accumulations at 5am in the 1 to 2 inch range. We still have the chance to see snow accumulations get close to 10” by sunset for the Kebler Pass and Paradise Divide areas, even upper Brush Creek, and of course much less east of those areas in Crested Butte and the low valleys. The heaviest snowfall looks to occur before 1 pm today, then it eventually starts to taper off going into Friday.

I’m having some doubts this morning in hitting the higher snow numbers. The WRF is now showing the areas that will see 10” and more of snow, staying on the north side of the Elk Mountains and other parts of Colorado. The RAP and HRRR show a better distribution of snow in the 4 to 7” range. We got snow in the forecast and that’s what matters. Now we need to see where it falls.

Upper-level winds are going to be gusting in the 60+ range and we’ll see some strong winds mixing down in elevation today. Those strong winds start to taper off into Friday. Unseasonably cold temperatures remain through Friday.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 28 to 32
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20 G30/WSW
    Sky Cover: Overcast
    Irwin Snow: 5 to 7
    Elkton Snow: 5 to 7
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 5 to 7

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 14 to 18
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 30 to 34
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/W
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

Mountain Weather for 11,000ft. Wednesday 4/15

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/15/2020

Overnight low temperatures are in the low teens around 11,000ft. In general, those low temperatures at all elevations are about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Warmer air is temperately moving in from the west on Thursday as we transition into the next storm. We’ll see increasing clouds today with some flurries of snow possible, but not adding up to much.

Moving into Wednesday night we have a good storm coming. A low-pressure trough and upper-level jet are digging down across the intermountain west. Then we’ll have moisture, the trough and the upper-level jet sitting over the area for nearly 24 hours. The best 12 hour period will be from midnight tonight until noon on Thursday. Snow then looks to continue into Friday with things winding down.

High-resolution models are showing some impressive totals just south of us in the West Elks. The western and northern portions of our forecast area will do well just from orographics. It’s harder to say where exactly all the peace of the storm will line up for the heaviest bands of snow. A general 6 to 12” of snow for this storm looks about average, with some areas pushing over that 12” mark.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 28 to 32
    Winds/Direction: 12 to 22/W
    Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 18 to 22
    Winds/Direction: 15 to 25 G35/WSW
    Sky Cover: Overcast
    Irwin Snow: 5 to 8
    Elkton Snow: 4 to 7
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 3 to 6

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 28 to 32
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/WSW
    Sky Cover: Overcast
    Irwin Snow: 4 to 6
    Elkton Snow: 4 to 6
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 3 to 6

Mountain Weather for 11,000ft. Tuesday 4/14

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/14/2020

Colorado remains on the western edge of a large and cold trough which is in place over much of the US. Cold and dry NW flow will drive the weather today with breezy conditions and below-average temperatures once again. Drier air will allow for more sunshine with orographically driven clouds possible over the highest terrain. Highs have trended slightly cooler than forecast with cold air making a strong push into the area from the north. Clouds may begin to drift back in later in the day ahead of the next shortwave.

Tomorrow clouds will be on the increase throughout the day as the jet stream migrates back west and the next storm begins picking up Pacific moisture. Expect temperatures 10-15 degrees warmer than today as a moist and warm air-mass moves in. Significant precipitation is possible late Wednesday and through the day on Thursday with the arrival of this next trough.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 17 to 21
    Winds/Direction: 15 to 25/NW
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0
    Elkton Snow: 0
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 4 to 8
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/WNW
    Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
    Irwin Snow: 0
    Elkton Snow: 0
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 30 to 34
    Winds/Direction: 15 to 25/W
    Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″

Mountain Weather for 11,000ft. Monday 4/13

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/13/2020

Our area continues to sit on the western edge of a large trough of low pressure with breezy conditions and below-average temperatures. Expect highs today to be a few degrees cooler than yesterday as cold air continues to filter into the area. Skies will remain Mostly Cloudy over the higher terrain with fewer clouds as you move down the valley towards lower elevations. A secondary trough will bring a re-enforcing shot of cold air along with light snow showers this evening as we see temperatures drop well below normal.

After a cold night with lows near 0F, blustery conditions will prevail on Tuesday as cold, dry air remains in place in NW flow. Temperatures will be slightly warmer than today with skies beginning to clear allowing sunshine to begin a gradual warming trend as the large cold trough migrates eastward.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 21 to 25
    Winds/Direction: 15 to 25/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 0 to 5
    Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/NNW
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 1 to 3″
    Elkton Snow: 1 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 2″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 23 to 27
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/NW
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

Mountain Weather For 11,000FT. Sunday 4/12.

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/12/2020

The latest storm arrived on schedule last night shortly after midnight. As of 5am, weather stations are showing 2 to 5 inches of accumulation with the potential for an inch or two more at the highest elevations. Snowfall will continue through Sunday, with moderate intensity during the early morning and then tapering off throughout the day. Snowfall totals by sunset look to reach 8 or 10 inches for favored areas to the west and north of Crested Butte. An associated cold front will slide over Crested Butte today ratcheting up snowfall rates a bit and lowering air temperatures. Westerly winds are blowing 10 to 20 mph with gusts reaching 40, which are strong enough to transport the new snow to leeward terrain at higher elevations.

Light snowfall will continue overnight and by Monday, a second low-pressure system will brush the northern part of Colorado keeping the chance for light orographic snowfall going through Monday night. Air temperatures with this system will remain below seasonal norms much like the current storm.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 27 to 31
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 3 to 5″
    Elkton Snow: 3 to 5″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 2 to 4″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 7 to 11
    Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/WNW
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 21 to 25
    Winds/Direction: 12 to 22/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

Mountain Weather For 11,000FT. Saturday 4/11.

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/11/2020

Today will start with pleasant spring weather under clear skies. The ample sunshine will create modest high temperatures that will fall short of the high temps we experienced the past few days. Expect winds to be on the increase today. A large trough is knocking on our doorstep from the north. This system will begin impacting the area late this afternoon with clouds building before sunset. Snowfall will start in earnest right about midnight. A strong cold front will bring a period of moderate snowfall on Saturday night but will taper off to light precipitation for Sunday. Snowfall will linger through Sunday for areas to the west and north of Crested Butte that are favored for orographic snowfall under northwest flow. Total accumulations should provide a nice improvement to riding conditions with favored areas receiving up to 8 inches by the end of Sunday. Air temperatures will be unseasonably cool Sunday through about Tuesday with high temperatures at 11,000 feet just barely reaching the freezing mark.

The rest of the week looks to offer a mixed bag of conditions with northern Colorado picking up additional snowfall. The central mountains of Colorado will sit on the edge of this moisture while the southern part of the state will remain dry. No significant snowfall is expected through the workweek.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 39 to 43
    Winds/Direction: 7 to 17/W G30
    Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
    Irwin Snow: 0″
    Elkton Snow: 0″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 18 to 22
    Winds/Direction: 9 to 19/WNW
    Sky Cover: Overcast
    Irwin Snow: 5 to 7″
    Elkton Snow: 5 to 7″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 4 to 6″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 27 to 31
    Winds/Direction: 12 to 22/WNW G40
    Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 1 to 3″
    Elkton Snow: 1 to 3″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 3″

Mountain Weather For 11,000FT. Friday 4/10.

CB Avalanche CenterWeather

Date: 04/10/2020

The low-pressure system approaching from the west continues to stumble its way well to the south of Colorado. Yesterday evening and last night, a weak chunk of moisture was pushed towards central Colorado which produced a few isolated showers and increased cloud cover. Overnight night temperatures dipped below freezing for most locations, but overall Thursday night was fairly warm with a few weather stations remaining at or above freezing. Expect cloud cover to quickly diminish this morning through the early afternoon before clouds build again in the PM offering the chance for isolated convective showers later in the day. Temperatures on Friday will reach near the highs of Thursday.

Saturday will start with clear skies before a sagging trough and cold front from the north reaches the Crested Butte area in the early afternoon. Snowfall will develop Saturday afternoon and linger through Sunday. Accumulations do not look impressive, but snowfall totals may provide a slight refresh to riding conditions. Air temperatures for Sunday through Tuesday will remain below average as the area sits under a northwest flow after trough passage.

  • Today

    High Temperature: 43 to 47
    Winds/Direction: 3 to 13/WSW
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0″
    Elkton Snow: 0″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

  • Tonight

    Low Temperature: 23 to 27
    Winds/Direction: 3 to 13/W
    Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
    Irwin Snow: 0″
    Elkton Snow: 0″
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

  • Tomorrow

    High Temperature: 40 to 44
    Winds/Direction: 7 to 17/W
    Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
    Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″ in PM
    Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″ in PM
    Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″ in PM