Date: 12/25/2014

The Christmas storm is well underway this morning! The Pacific trough moves through the Great Basin today, before closing and slowly moving across Southwest Colorado tonight. It then opens and lifts through Colorado on Friday. Flow on the radar this morning is from the West to Southwest, which is favorable for our mountains. We can expect to see 6 to 12 inches of snow by tomorrow morning, with orographic snowfall lingering Friday. A drying trend begins Friday night into Saturday before unsettled weather returns into next week.

Date: 12/24/2014

Throw another log on the fire. Its -13 degrees in town this morning. Warm air advection overhead of the valley inversions has already begun to lift mountain temperatures, and will cause the cloud ceiling to gradually thicken through the day. A Pacific trough works its way off of the West Coast this afternoon, splitting and closing off as it approaches Colorado. The favorable dynamics appear to steer south of us and models are trending towards a weaker storm, but we’ll still see decent snowfall on Christmas as a weak cold front arrives Thursday afternoon and the jet scoots overhead on its way south on Thursday night.

Date: 12/23/2014

The jet stream that has been driving heavy snowfall and intense winds will weaken through the day and slowly shift east. Snowfall is forecasted to wind down to isolated flurries. A ridge builds to our west, issuing frigid and dry air this evening, perhaps our coldest temps this winter. The lull in action won’t last long, as a Pacific trough digs into the Great Basin Wednesday night, bringing significant snowfall to the Elk Mountains on Christmas.

Date: 12/22/2014

The strong pacific system with origins near Hawaii will continue to churn through Colorado today, dropping an additional 6-18″ by Tuesday morning. The strong overhead jet with dip closer to the lower levels of the atmosphere, generating vorticity and high winds at all elevations. Alpine terrain will likely see wind speeds in the 80-100 mph range and creating whiteout conditions. Winds will eventually switch to a more northerly direction this afternoon, which will cut off the moisture source, and gradually end the snowfall in most locations by the evening hours.

Date: 12/22/2014

The strong pacific system with origins near Hawaii will continue to churn through Colorado today, dropping an additional 6-18″ by Tuesday morning. The strong overhead jet with dip closer to the lower levels of the atmosphere, generating vorticity and high winds at all elevations. Alpine terrain will likely see wind speeds in the 80-100 mph range and creating whiteout conditions. Winds will eventually switch to a more northerly direction this afternoon, which will cut off the moisture source, and gradually end the snowfall in most locations by the evening hours.

Date: 12/21/2014

Conditions are eerily quiet this morning, kind of like that time I asked a girl on a date. However, this will all change as precipitation and strong winds move into our area today. Impressive Divergence aloft, or lift, combined with ample moisture and additional orographic snowfall are responsible for a winter storm warning being issued for our area. This disturbance will be impacting NW Colorado this morning and should be moving into are area mid-day or this afternoon. The storm will have moved east of our area on Monday night, but orographic snowfall could linger. Flat ridging will bring drying conditions Tuesday and Wednesday with the next storm lining up for Christmas Day.

Date: 12/20/2014

Christmas looks to be arriving early as high clouds continue to increase as moisture begins to stream into our area ahead of a prolonged winter storm set to arrive this afternoon and into the evening. Models suggest that the jet streak that was going to be enhancing the snowfall for areas near Steamboat, will sag farther south, putting central Colorado, including the Elk Mountains, in the bullseye for this major winter storm. Expect high winds and near blizzard conditions especially near treeline through Monday. Storm total look to range between 1-2 feet, with higher amounts possible.

Date: 12/19/2014

Scattered snow showers across the higher elevations will slowly taper off during the day as a weak ridge of high pressure temporarily builds today. Winds should remain light and highs should reach the low to mid 20s today.

This ridge will quickly be ushered out of Colorado as a developing winter storm takes aim on northern and central Colorado starting Saturday night, as moist northwest flow develops, with dynamics aided by strong upper jet support. A Winter Storm Watch has already been hoisted, and models this morning are hinting at total storm accumulations to be measured in feet, and accompanied by more wind than what we have seen over the last few weeks. Looking ahead, another storm looks to clip the Elk Mountains just in time for Rudolph.

Date: 12/18/2014

With plenty of moisture overhead, unsettled weather will continue today. Snowfall is winding down as most of the precipitation is shifting to our north and east this morning. Tomorrow brings a lull in the action as an upper level ridge brings partial clearing. Christmas might come early this year if Santa can drag the moist, northwest flow into our Elk Mountains this weekend. A series of waves bringing abundant moisture, favorable orographics, and jet stream support are forecasted to impact the northern half of the state beginning Sunday afternoon through Tuesday. Keep those fingers crossed it reaches us.

Date: 12/17/2014

A weakly organized system will spread snow showers into the Elk Mountains today. We’re looking at 3-6” by Thursday morning, before flow shifts northwest and a shortwave ridge dries out the atmosphere heading into the weekend. Models are hinting at the right ingredients for continued snowfall this weekend and Christmas week.