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Date: 03/25/2016

A complex system system is developing over Colorado over the next 24 hours, and models are still in disagreement on how this one will come together. A shortwave trough embedded in northwest flow will push a cold front across our mountains late morning or mid day, spreading a few inches of snow across our zone today under moderate westerly winds. The orographically favored snow belt could squeeze out twice that. Tonight, a more significant trough descends towards the 4-corners region carrying good moisture. Snowfall accumulations generally look to be in the 5-10″ range out of this second pulse of snow, under tamer winds.

Date: 03/24/2016

A few weak shortwaves embedded in northwest flow today will bring partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies and generally light winds today. A low pressure trough digs out of the northwest tomorrow. We’ll see increased clouds and moderate winds ahead of this system, and sometime on Friday an unorganized cold front swings through the Elk Mountains, spreading snowfall from the northwest to southeast, with winds easing in its wake but snowfall continuing. Snow numbers into Saturday look to be in the 4-8″ range form Star Pass and 3-6″ range for Taylor Pass, with potential for larger numbers in the favored western portion of our zone.

Date: 03/23/2016

The cold front swung through last night, dropping a quick 2-5″ across our zone. Northwest flow carrying some additional moisture is now filling in the wake of the east-bound system. Orographic snow showers should taper through the day, with the favored snowbelt picking up a few more inches, under gusty northwest winds. Unsettled but mostly dry and calmer weather carries us through Thursday as a couple of minor embed disturbances track to our north. On Friday, a stronger system drops in from the Pacific Northwest and digs out a trough across the 4-corners region. Looking ahead towards the Grand Traverse: Our first look at high-resolution models are calling for 3-5″ of snow on Friday near Star and Taylor Pass, with winds mercifully easing around midnight, and temps dropping into the single digits. These numbers will evolve as this dynamic system approaches.

Date: 03/22/2016

High and mid level clouds will continue to stream into our area ahead of the moist Pacific storm rumbling across Utah and the Great Basin today. Strong southwest winds (avg 32mph max gust 92mph at Scarp Ridge, 12,000ft) will bring warm temperatures to the Elk Mountains once again, but thicker clouds will limit daytime heating. The cold front looks to arrive just before sunset (6pm-ish). Expect a short period of heavy snow, limited visibility and shifting winds. Light snow will continue throughout the night, taper early Wednesday morning, then re-develop mid-morning. Snow accumulations look to be in the 4-8” range with higher amounts northwest of Crested Butte.

Date: 03/21/2016

We will see one more day of warm, unseasonably warm weather with increasing southwesterly winds ahead of a major change in the weather for the workweek ahead. Starting Tuesday afternoon, a strong, moisture laden cold front will invade the Colorado Rockies. At this time snow amounts look promising, 10-14”+ and another storm on the way late in the week, possibly in time for the Grand Traverse race night. Stay tuned.

Date: 03/20/2016

A large scale ridge will slide over western Colorado today, allowing strong warming and dry weather through Monday. Higher elevations will still see those cool northwest winds that may give the scantily clad Al Johnson racers some pause today, but in general, very warm temperatures can be expected today and tomorrow before snow returns for the rest of the work week.

Date: 03/19/2016

We are under dry northwest flow today, with a low pressure system over the Mid-West and a high pressure ridge advancing our way across the Great Basin. Winds will relax a few notches and temperatures will climb a few more degrees compared to yesterday. This trend continues through the weekend. Looking ahead, a Pacific system impacts our mountains on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Date: 03/18/2016

Gunnison County is splitting the boundary between active, jet-influenced weather to our north, and mild, sunny weather to our south. It looks like this pattern will stick around all day, with cloudier skies towards the northern end of our forecast zone and continued blustery winds. The jet stream finally packs its bags tonight, with skies clearing under dry but breezy northwest flow. High pressure bringing warm temperatures and lighter winds arrives on Sunday, allowing for open-wardrobe weather for the Al Johnson Race.

Date: 03/17/2016

The jet stream continues to sag over Colorado, bringing strong northwest flow, but any lingering moisture in this system is too far north to produce accumulating snow for our mountains. The jet weakens and lifts to the northeast into tomorrow, as high pressure begins advancing towards our region for this weekend. We’ll see clearing skies, warming temperatures, and winds finally easing through the weekend.