Date: 11/30/2019

Yesterday’s storm dropped between 2-16” of snow across our forecast area with the Kebler Pass area and Schofield Pass seeing over 12” (1” SWE) of accumulation, but accompanied by strong to extreme winds. Yesterday at 4pm, Scarp Ridge at 12,000ft recorded an 84 mph wind gust, and although winds have subsided slightly, gusts are still kicking into the 60mph range at 5am. As we wake up this morning, light snow will continue to diminish across our western and northern forecast area as residual moisture lifts with yesterday’s system onto the northern plains. Minimal additional snow accumulations are expected across most of our forecast area, however, the usual snow globes near Irwin and Schofield Pass may collect an additional 2-5″ today in cold, northwest flow. The temperatures above 11,000ft are hovering around zero, with frigid windchills. Looking ahead, high-pressure ridging will take hold into early next week.

• Today

  High Temperature: 5-10
  Winds/Direction: 20-30/NW
  Sky Cover: Decreasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 2-5″ AM
  Elkton Snow: 1-3″ AM
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0-1″ AM

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: -10
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/NNW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 20-25
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

Date: 11/29/2019

A digging low-pressure system that has stalled longer than forecast across the desert southwest will lift across our forecast area around noon, shifting from a strong southwest flow to a more favorable (and prolonged) westerly wind direction aloft after lunchtime. This shift of flow direction will kick our orographic (terrain enhanced) snow machine into action and should create some decent snowfall rates and accumulation. This system is accompanied by strong winds and we will see gusts into the 50-60mph range above treeline creating nasty near whiteout conditions at times this afternoon. Temperatures should drop throughout the afternoon when the cold front passes and snow kicks off. Accumulations will all depend on the timing and how long the moisture and favorable westerly winds continue overnight and into Saturday, but as of 6am, looking like a solid 4-8″ for much of the forecast area, with amounts closer to 16″ west and north of Crested Butte. Today’s system will progress into Saturday morning before cold, drier northwest flow kicks the system eastward and sunny skies return for Sunday.

• Today

  High Temperature: 33
  Winds/Direction: 30-40/S > W
  Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 4-8″
  Elkton Snow: 3-6″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 2-5″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 0-5
  Winds/Direction: 15-25/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 4-8″
  Elkton Snow: 3-6″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 2-4″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 15
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/WNW
  Sky Cover: Decreasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 1-3″ AM
  Elkton Snow: 1-3″ AM
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0-2″ AM

Date: 11/28/2019

A strong low-pressure system is spinning off the coast of California this morning and has placed Crested Butte under a warm, moist southerly flow. This system will not start producing significant snowfall until Friday morning and last through Saturday before leaving the area with sunny skies on Sunday. Temperatures are much warmer than yesterday, generally in the 20’s this morning. A skiff of new snow fell last night at CBMR, but other locations look to be dry. For today you can expect mild temperatures, gusty south winds, and maybe just a flurry or two, but no accumulations.
Total snowfall accumulations for Friday and Saturday look to be in the 6″ to 14″ range across the forecast area with favored locations receiving up to 1″ of water. An associated cold front will move across the area on Friday helping to produce snowfall. Strong westerly winds are expected with this storm. Looks like the snowpack will continue to grow over the next few days!

• Today

  High Temperature: 24 to 28
  Winds/Direction: 11 to 21, S
  Sky Cover: Overcast
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″ to trace

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 14 to 18
  Winds/Direction: 12 to 22, G40 S
  Sky Cover: Overcast
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1″
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 20 to 24
  Winds/Direction: 24 to 34, G50 SSW
  Sky Cover: Overcast
  Irwin Snow: 7″ to 9″
  Elkton Snow: 6″ to 8″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 5″ to 7″

Date: 11/27/2019

Well, hands up emoji right off the bat this morning. My previous excitement for a large storm rolling in with the Thanksgiving Turkey needs to be dampened a bit. We’ve got snow in the forecast, but we just have to exercise some patience.

Winds overnight have calmed as they make the switch from westerly to the increasing southwest flow. A large storm over the West Coast will put us in southwest flow for the next couple of days. There is some moisture about so we may see some dustings of snow, but mostly just enough moisture to keep clouds in the forecast. Some good news is a rebound in the frigid temperatures we have seen lately as highs today reach into the 20’s at 11,000ft.

Wednesday and Thursday’s weather will be similar. So let’s move on to Friday so we can talk about snow baby! That’s when the snow looks to start stacking up for our area. We’ll still be in a southerly wind direction initially which isn’t the best direction for our area, but other factors associated with the storm moving through should help bring some good snow accumulations to the area. We could currently throw out 6 to 12” of snow in the mountains from late morning Friday to Saturday morning, with continued accumulating snow on the weekend. Better details will start emerging for this storm in the weather report on Thursday and Friday.

• Today

  High Temperature: 21 to 25
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20, SW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 17 to 21
  Winds/Direction: 15 to 20, S
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 27 to 31
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20, SE
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 3

Date: 04/21/2019

Warm temperatures and cloudy. Mmmm don’t you love spring? After partly cloudy sky last night, clouds will continue to thicken today. A low-pressure system will continue working its way west and south of us and spinning moisture up our way. This thing doesn’t have a great moisture tap and will send drier air our way at times too. Such as this afternoon when we may see a decrease in the cloud cover.

We can keep the forecast for the next several days fairly general. As we’re not really on either side of the line with this passing storm. Springtime unsettled weather would be the best way to try and boil it all down. We’ll get plenty of clouds, a few snow flurries, and even some sun at times over the next couple days. By mid-week, the next ridge of high pressure looks to help clear up the clouds and unsettled weather.

• Today

  High Temperature: 40 to 44
  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

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 25 to 29
  Winds/Direction: 2 to 12, SW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 37 to 41
  Winds/Direction: 0 to 10, W
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

Date: 04/20/2019

The ridge of high-pressure is on its way east. Goodbye Ridge, you sure gave us some great spring skiing. What’s next you eagerly ask? Well! Clouds baby! Saturday will start out beautiful and clear. Then clouds will be on the increase today as the next low-pressure trough pushes moisture into the area. High temperatures look similar to yesterday, stretching into the high 40’s in the mountain and 50’s down in the valleys.

This low pressure doesn’t look to bring much in the way of snow as it moves through the area in the coming days. Some chances of snow for our area here or there, but mostly just unsettled springtime weather. Dryer weather and another ridge look to move over the area by the middle of next week.

• Today

  High Temperature: 46 to 50
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15, WSW
  Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 29 to 33
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15, WSW
  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: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

Date: 04/19/2019

Another beautiful spring day is coming up. A ridge of high pressure is sliding over Colorado. As it continues to move over today we’ll see the pressure gradient decrees and today’s winds decrease as compared to yesterday. High temperatures yesterday were in the 37 to 40 degree range at 11,000ft. We’ll see those high temps increase another 5 to 7 degrees today. While at lower elevations we’ll see high temperatures reaching up around 50 degrees or even warmer down in the valleys.

Looks like we’ll see a poor freeze on Saturday morning. High temps on Saturday will increase another couple degrees and some high clouds look to move in during the later afternoon.

A small disturbance may bring a dusting of snow on Saturday night. Clouds continue to hang out on Sunday as a larger low-pressure system moves on in. Unsettled weather with some snow will then start off next week.

• Today

  High Temperature: 44 to 48
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15, WNW
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 29 to 33
  Winds/Direction: 2 to 12, W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 46 to 50
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15, WSW
  Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

Date: 04/18/2019

The low-pressure system that brought clouds and a few snowflakes the past two days has now exited to the east of Colorado. Much like yesterday, the area will continue to sit under a cooler, but dry northwest flow. Expect air temperatures to warm a few degrees from yesterday, skies to be mostly clear, and gusty ridgetop winds. A ridge of high-pressure will slide into the area on Thursday evening and linger through the first part of Saturday. The ridge will bring some of the warmest temperatures of the spring under clear skies. Unsettled weather looks to make a return on Saturday afternoon and last through Monday with two systems impacting the area. The second system in this set may bring accumulating snowfall to the area.

• Today

  High Temperature: 37 to 42
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20, NW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 22 to 27
  Winds/Direction: 6 to 16, NW
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 44 to 49
  Winds/Direction: 4 to 14, W
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

Date: 04/17/2019

The low-pressure system responsible for the unsettled weather is currently centered over the California/Arizona border this morning with the trough axis forecasted to pass over the area by this evening. The system should track over central New Mexico leaving the CB area well north of what little energy is available. Overall this system continues to look unimpressive and will struggle to produce accumulating snowfall for the area. Today you can expect the possibility of some light snow showers with a couple of inches if we are lucky and light westerly winds with some gusting.
As the low-pressure passes by this evening, a ridge will build immediately behind. Thursday, Friday, and the first half of Saturday will be clearer and warmer with a return to beautiful spring weather. Models are predicting a return to unsettled weather for Saturday evening continuing into Monday but we will see how that plays out in the coming days.

• Today

  High Temperature: 37 to 42
  Winds/Direction: 7 to 17, WNW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 19 to 24
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20, NW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 39 to 43
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20, NW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

Date: 04/16/2019

The beautiful weather from yesterday did not last long as today we transition back to a couple of days with unsettled weather. A low-pressure system is currently off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and is set to push on shore. This system will head towards the desert southwest during the day, and begin to push moisture into the area. Temperatures look a bit cooler today as compared to yesterday with mostly cloudy sky cover. Today you can expect some very light snowfall with a better chance of accumulating snow this evening and tonight. Overall this system looks to be fairly weak with snow totals in the 2″ to 6″ range by the end of the day on Wednesday. As the system passes by the area on Tuesday night, expect the flow to turn northwesterly and bring cooler temps on Wednesday. The northwest flow may keep light snow production going for the terrain to the west and north of town on Wednesday.

A ridge of high-pressure should develop over the area for Thursday and Friday with warmer and clearer skies but by Saturday, the unsettled weather looks to make a return under split flow. Snowfall does not look impressive for the weekend, but maybe a slight refresh.

• Today

  High Temperature: 38 to 43
  Winds/Direction: 8 to 18, SW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 21 to 26
  Winds/Direction: 4 to 14, 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: 35 to 40
  Winds/Direction: 7 to 17, NNW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2″
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2″