Date: 01/26/2016

Our quick hitting, slightly disappointing storm has since moved into New Mexico and West Texas as tranquil weather under a strengthening ridge of high pressure builds over the western states. Light winds and stubborn mid-winter inversions take hold through the rest of the week, before stormier weather returns for the weekend and beyond.

Date: 01/25/2016

Conditions will remain unsettled as residual orographic snow showers and northwesterly winds persist across higher elevations as a cold, northwesterly flow takes over. May see uptick in snow intensity and coverage as one last ripple passes overhead this morning, looking like 1-3″ additional are all that can be expected. Mostly sunny and calm conditions with strong valley inversions will then dominate throughout the rest of the week with our next chance snowfall this next weekend with hints of a more significant snow event early next week. Still a long way out…

Date: 01/24/2016

Look for cloud ceilings to lower over the high peaks by sunrise, and accumulating snow to fall by mid morning. Gusty winds and snow should continue until about midnight, though favorable northwest orographics could keep light snow going over higher terrain into Monday morning. Total snow accumulations look to range between 4-8”, though the usual suspects in the Kebler and Paradise Divide zones could approach 12” when the storm finally clears out. Winds will be similar to our last storm, with strong southwest winds swapping to the northwest around 3-4pm when the cold front passes, producing near whiteout conditions at times. Calmer conditions fill in behind the front for early next week, with another possible storm Saturday.

Date: 01/23/2016

Another warm day is in store as southwest flow ahead of the next Pacific trough brings increasing high clouds through the day. Snowfall kicks off on Sunday afternoon as a fast moving cold front brings a band of heavy snowfall across our mountains. Northwest orographic snowfall will linger into Monday, favoring the Kebler and Paradise Divide areas again.

Date: 01/22/2016

Strong inversions are in place this morning, with mountain temperatures near 20 degrees while valley temps are close to -10. A strong but short-lived ridge of high pressure will bring clear skies, warming temperatures, and calm winds today. Clouds increase on Saturday under strengthening southwest flow ahead of the next Pacific system. Good moisture and west to northwest orographics will once again put the western portion of our zone in the bullseye, with a 24-hour snowfall event kicking off on Sunday.

Date: 01/21/2016

The back end of yesterday’s trough and cold front will bring chilly northwesterly flow today. Skies are quickly clearing and this morning’s gusty northwest winds are forecasted to ease through the day. Strong inversions will set up tonight, with warmer air arriving to the mountains tomorrow. Take advantage of the shortlived bluebird weather: the next Pacific trough arrives on Saturday.

Date: 01/20/2016

We are waking up to steady snow from our latest disturbance affecting the area today. Lower elevations may see snow taper off midday, before good orographics and cold air advection from -30ºC cold air aloft, and a fast moving jet stream redevelop snow this evening in northwest flow, wringing out every possible flake over the higher peaks. The fast moving jet stream will increase WNW winds into sunset, with some 50mph gusts at higher elevations. A strong northerly flow shifts over the state and cold temperatures return for Thursday and Friday.

Date: 01/19/2016

Our system that moved in quickly yesterday around sunset will exit the region today, with only a few hours of clearing before yet another weaker disturbance rolls into the Elk Mountains this afternoon and evening, along with increases in westerly winds. If you like snow, the model confidence is high that the active pattern continues with yet another system through mid week, and another series of storms looking to line up again toward the weekend and early next week.

Date: 01/18/2016

A small ridge is creating dryer weather this morning, but we’ll already begin seeing increased clouds again today ahead of the next disturbance arriving tonight. We should see the sun popping out at times today, but the cloud forecast is a tough one to nail down. The weather patter stays similar to what we’ve seen since Thursday, as this next smallish trough moves in. Snowfall accumulation looks to be in the 2-4” range and flow looks to be more westerly. So we don’t look to have the moist northwest component that produced large accumulations over the weekend in the western portion of our area. The next and possibly better looking disturbance is lined up and will be moving into our area around Tuesday night. Keep em coming baby!

Date: 01/17/2016

Our latest fast moving shot of snow and increased winds moved through our area just before sunset yesterday and we will see continued unsettled weather today, with an increase in winds aloft and increased upward motion producing periods of heavier snowfall this morning. Look for higher elevations to continue to pick up light snow through Monday under favorable orographics and cold air advection. Temperatures and winds should moderate after today’s more violent windy storm slides past the Elk Mountains.