Date: 03/09/2020

The small trough that produced about 1 to 4” of snow in the last 24hr is now heading east. The upper atmosphere has dried out on Monday morning, while low-level moisture is holding clouds and some very light snow over our forecast area this morning. It looks like that low-level moisture is going to hang around for the majority of the day keeping us on the mostly cloudy side of the line. Upper-level clouds will just start to increase this afternoon as well. We’ve seen another small dip in temperatures behind the trough passage as well.

The closed low is still hanging off the coast of California. That low will spit moisture into our area throughout the week, though the pattern is a bit sporadic and not exactly set on how its all going to play out. Tuesday looks like the next organized chance of snow and accumulations across the forecast area look to be in the 1 to 4” range again. Unsettled weather could return again on Wednesday, Thursday looks a bit transitional, then Friday into Saturday morning could have some better snow totals. On Friday the closed low turns into an open wave and moves across the desert Southwest. This storm looks like it will be far to our south but we have a reasonable chance to see some good moisture pushed into our area.

• Today

  High Temperature: 30 to 34
  Winds/Direction: 8 to 18/WSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  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: 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: 30 to 34
  Winds/Direction: 10 to 20/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 2 to 4
  Elkton Snow: 1 to 3
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 1 to 3

Date: 03/08/2020

What is going on with the weather this week? Well, basically old man weather gave a small child a low powered squirt gun and sent him to go play off the west coast of California. That child has no rime or reason for his actions and is sporadically spraying down the Western US. Sunday afternoon and the Tuesday/Wednesday timeframe appear to be the best-organized weather out of this mess and our best chances for accumulating snowfall. Unfortunately, these don’t appear to be big snow numbers. Though, springtime convection could lead to some more intense pulses of snow and help add up some new snow.

Other than that, we are sitting under southwest flow and high temperatures will drop 10 to 15 degrees as compared to the last few days. Clouds look to decrease a bit on Monday and hopefully, we have a couple of fresh inches of snow by then. By next Friday that small child off the west coast will finally start moving across the desert southwest in the form of a low-pressure system. There is hope that we could see a good storm during that time, but we’ll have to wait several days to see how that system is going to track across the US.

• Today

  High Temperature: 31 to 35
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/SW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 1 to 3
  Elkton Snow: 1 to 3
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 23 to 27
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/WSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 2

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 29 to 33
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/WSW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

Date: 03/07/2020

Our next weather maker is a mid-level trough that is currently coming onshore over the west coast. That thing is putting Colorado in warm southwest flow for Saturday and sending a little moisture our way this afternoon that will lead to some increased clouds. Daytime heating may lead to some convective cloud formation and remind us that we are moving into spring. Any associated precipitation looks to arrive late afternoon or in the evening. Initial precipitation could be in the liquid form before temperatures have had a chance to drop. Outside of just the right convective shower lining up, we are not looking at much precipitation.

Saturday night temperatures will finally cool and we could see a couple of inches of snow adding up by Sunday afternoon. Sunday high temperatures will be significantly cooler than what we have seen over the last week and land near the freezing mark.

Dryer air looks to move in for Monday, followed by a return of moisture and precipitation for the midweek.

• Today

  High Temperature: 41 to 45
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/SW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 22 to 26
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/SSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 1
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 1
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 30 to 34
  Winds/Direction: 5 to 15/WSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0 to 2
  Elkton Snow: 0 to 2
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0 to 1

Date: 03/06/2020

A ridge axis will push over the area today bringing in warm SW flow ahead of the next storm system off the coast of California. Above-average temperatures will continue today with light SW winds. High clouds will begin to move through the area by the afternoon. Overnight temperatures will cool to the mid-teens to low 20s under light SW flow and partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow, clouds will increase ahead of a mid-level low-pressure system moving onshore. This will bring a slight increase in wind from the SW and slightly cooler temperatures as cloud cover may limit heating.

• Today

  High Temperature: 42 to 46
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/WSW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 17 to 21
  Winds/Direction: 3-13/SSW
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 40 to 45
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/SW
  Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

Date: 03/05/2020

The weather sure has been pleasant the past few days and that trend will continue for today and Friday. The only slight changes in the weather will be temperatures a few degrees warmer and winds decreasing a bit from yesterday. The warm temperatures will continue into Saturday, but cloud cover is expected to increase ahead of the next incoming system.

The next snow producer should start dropping snowflakes on Sunday morning. This system is forecasted to be fairly warm with very modest snowfall totals. Its a bit early to toss out snowfall accumulation numbers, but hopefully, it provides a decent refresh to surface conditions. Weather models are suggesting a second system impacting the area during the middle of next week.

• Today

  High Temperature: 38 to 42
  Winds/Direction: 4-14/WNW
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 15 to 19
  Winds/Direction: 2-12/SW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 39 to 43
  Winds/Direction: 2-12/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

Date: 03/04/2020

Another beautiful day is on tap with ample sunshine and seasonally warm temperatures. Much like yesterday, moderate winds may greet you at upper elevations. Temperatures look to edge slightly higher from yesterday as a ridge of high pressure continues to build. As the trough axis slides a bit more eastward on Thursday the area will develop southwest flow which will bring even warmer air into the area. High temperatures on Thursday, and especially Friday, will likely reach the warmest of the season.

The next chance of accumulating precipitation is roughly scheduled for Sunday.

• Today

  High Temperature: 33 to 37
  Winds/Direction: 8 -18/W
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 14 to 18
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/NW
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 35 to 39
  Winds/Direction: 2 to 12/W
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

Date: 03/03/2020

Yesterday’s sneaky and productive storm has moved on from the area overnight and brought cooler temperatures this morning from clearer overnight skies. Overall the weather will be relatively benign for the next few days as a ridge of high pressure builds over the area. Moisture from the Pacific Northwest will get directed north of Colorado with no real chance of precipitation. Air temperatures will steadily climb over the next three days and will likely reach the warmest of the season or very close to it.

The next possibility for accumulating snowfall will likely be next weekend. Enjoy the sunny skies and warmer temperatures through the end of the workweek.

• Today

  High Temperature: 29 to 33
  Winds/Direction: 7-17/NW
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 9 to 13
  Winds/Direction: 8-18/ENE
  Sky Cover: Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 31 to 35
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Clear
  Irwin Snow: 0″
  Elkton Snow: 0″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0″

Date: 03/02/2020

Sure is a nice surprise for an uncertain storm plagued by poor model agreement to over-deliver. The cold front stalled overnight right where it needed to, and snow will linger in the highest terrain benefitted by orographic enhancement this morning, and we may see a few snow showers this afternoon as well, spurred on by convection and daytime heating (much like summertime thunderstorms). Westerly winds will slowly decrease throughout the day as last night’s storm departs eastward. Expect cooler air will linger today and tomorrow, before a gradual but steady warm up this week under high pressure. Next weekend looks to be the next snowmaker, but details are sketchy at this point.

• Today

  High Temperature: 20 to 25
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/W
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 1-3″ AM
  Elkton Snow: 1-3″ AM
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 1-3″ AM

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 15 to 20
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/W
  Sky Cover: Decreasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 25-30
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/W
  Sky Cover: Partly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

Date: 03/01/2020

A closed low has spun off the main jet stream located along the Canadian border and has swirled its way southward over the last 48hrs. The low will continue to carry itself south toward Baja for an early Spring Break fiesta, but on its way, will drop a little snowfall today and tonight. The storm does not look super impressive, mostly snow showers with 1-2” accumulation during the day with mild temperatures. Tonight, the cold front passes around midnight and will bump accumulations up to 4-8” with most favored areas being Schofield Pass and Paradise Divide this time around, though Kebler Pass should do okay. Once this disturbance moves through, it’s high pressure until next weekend.

• Today

  High Temperature: 28 to 33
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/WNW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 1-3″
  Elkton Snow: 1-3″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 1-3″

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 20 to 25
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/WSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 3-6″
  Elkton Snow: 2-4″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 2-4″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 26-31
  Winds/Direction: 5-15/NW
  Sky Cover: Decreasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0-1″
  Elkton Snow: 0-1″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0-1″

Date: 02/29/2020

Mostly sunny skies today with moderate westerly winds. Temperatures will once again LEAP into the upper 30s at 11,000ft. This afternoon, expect to see some high clouds begin to stream into the Elks from the west, ahead of tomorrow’s anticipated storm. A low-pressure system will move onshore to the Pacific Northwest today, then split. One piece of the storm will be ejected south, creating a closed low-pressure system that will swirl its way across the Great Basin and impact our mountains tomorrow.

Light snow may start as early as tomorrow morning, but the bulk of the moisture does not look to arrive until about sunset Sunday. Accumulations may fall heavily for short periods of time, but total accumulations do not look all the impressive. Maybe 4-8” in the most favored areas west and north of Crested Butte. Looking ahead, next week appears mostly dry as the jet stream lifts across the northern states and Canadian border.

• Today

  High Temperature: 35 to 40
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/WSW
  Sky Cover: Increasing clouds
  Irwin Snow: 0
  Elkton Snow: 0
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0

• Tonight

  Low Temperature: 15 to 20
  Winds/Direction: 15-25/WSW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 0-1″
  Elkton Snow: 0-1″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 0-1″

• Tomorrow

  High Temperature: 23 to 28
  Winds/Direction: 10-20/NW
  Sky Cover: Mostly Cloudy
  Irwin Snow: 4-8″
  Elkton Snow: 3-6″
  Friend’s Hut Snow: 2-5″