Date: 03/19/2017

Another clear night with above freeings temps at 11,000ft is in the books. Southwest winds have been on the increase overnight as the ridge responsible for last weeks warm and dry weather slides east. A weak shortwave moving through today will increase the potential for some gusty winds and high thin clouds. Otherwise the dry southwest flow will continue to keep a very warm 2017 spring break going. Another shortwave will roll through Monday night bringing a very small chance of precipitation, otherwise some continued gusty winds will take us to the mid week. Our next potential and better organized storm is forecasted to arrive around Wednesday night.

Date: 03/18/2017

Another scorcher, with record high temps in the forecast again. High pressure centered over the Western U.S. begins shifting east, which translates to even warmer southwest flow. Models continue to underestimate daytime highs. Look for the thermostat to rise near to 50 degrees today at 11,000 feet, with some increasing high clouds later today. The ridge flattens on Sunday and a pattern change starts early next week.

Date: 03/17/2017

A major dome of high pressure continues to stonewall any Pacific moisture from entering the western United States. Clear skies and even warmer temperatures will rule the day. Look for light southwest winds at ridge top, would be a good offshore breeze if we were at the beach. Temperatures continue to climb into the weekend before the fever breaks, and potential for moisture increases for next week.

Date: 03/16/2017

High clouds and light south winds will temper daytime high temperatures slightly from yesterdays blistering heat, but only temporarily, and only just a little bit. Expect rapid warming late morning, and high temperatures stretching into the 40s at 11,000ft. Temperatures will only increase, as will the second and third degree “goggle tans,” err….sunburns, on those that ignore sunscreen. Mud season seems to have arrived, and will continue to liquidate our snowpack until late next week when a fairly significant storm looks to slam into the Elk Mountains. Just in time for the Grand Traverse… Stay tuned.

Date: 3/15/17

Warm and dry is the name of the game this week. A strong ridge of high pressure is centered over the Western U.S. today. The ridge flattens briefly on Thursday, but this won’t bring any significant changes to the weather pattern before it rebuilds again this weekend. Mountain temperatures are in the 20’s to 30’s this morning and will rise into the 40’s today.

Date: 03/14/2017

Spring break 2017! Pack your sunscreen and tank-tops: Temperatures are forecasted to approach record highs today. High pressure is setting up through the week. This brings a warming trend with daytime highs and overnight lows notching up at least several degrees each day, and winds notching down a few miles per hour every day.

Date: 03/13/2017

The dome is coming, the spring break dome of high pressure! Get ready for a dry week with record setting high temperatures by Wednesday. We’re talking bikinis and Wet Slab avalanche type weather this week. Today, high thin clouds may still be passing over head with moderate winds. Before this clear and record warm weather starts ramping up on Tuesday.

Date: 03/12/2017

Don’t worry spring breakers, Crested Butte beach weather is only temporarily on hold and will return on Monday. A fast moving short wave trough will impact northern Colorado today, bringing light snow accumulations. Here in the center mountains, we’ll just see increased clouds and elevated gusty winds with a very light snow shower at best. This shortwave begins to move on Monday night as the high-pressure ridge over the western US takes hold again. This ridge will bring dry weather with potently record breaking high temperatures into the midweek.

Date: 03/11/2017

A pair of fast-moving disturbances will brush across the Elk Mountains, keeping unsettled weather through the weekend but with minimal snow accumulations. This first shortwave is bringing cloudy weather and no precip this morning, but we should see skies starting to clear up by this afternoon. Tomorrow’s system will bring stronger winds and spit a few snow showers if we’re lucky. High pressure begins to redevelop into next week, bringing warming temperatures and clear skies.

Date: 03/10/2017

Another very warm day on tap, though we will see high clouds spanning across our forecast area. These clouds will help trap daytime heating and contribute to even warmer temperatures than yesterday. West southwest winds will remain generally light at ridge top, with a few moderate gusts ahead of a fast moving disturbance cutting across our area tonight. Clouds will increase toward the afternoon and evening, with a quick 1-4” of snowfall possible overnight. As system moves out tomorrow, sunny skies will return.