A skier revels in the fresh snowfall at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. As resorts eagerly anticipate additional snow, a multi-day storm is set to bring significant precipitation to Summit County starting Monday night, with projections of up to 2 feet for central and southern mountain areas by Thursday.
Meteorologists at OpenSnow reported that a two-part storm will deliver substantial snowfall to the Colorado mountains, starting with a forecast of 2-6 inches on Tuesday morning. After a brief lull in snowfall, another wave of 2-6 inches is expected throughout the afternoon and evening. This significant weather event comes with the caveat of potentially hazardous travel conditions, particularly due to strong west winds reaching speeds of 25-35 miles per hour and gusts up to 50 miles per hour, which may create near-zero visibility on major travel routes, notably I-70 from Rifle to Vail Pass.
Travel advisories from the National Weather Service indicate that journeying through the affected areas could be “very difficult to impossible” from Monday night through Thursday morning, as blowing snow diminishes visibility to a quarter-mile or less. Drivers are encouraged to carry emergency supplies in their vehicles and allow extra time for their commutes.
Kris Sanders, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, noted that while conditions could pose challenges in the morning, roads might improve with warmer temperatures in lower elevations during the afternoon. “The potential for difficult commutes exists on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, but conditions should see some relief as the day progresses,” he explained.
Temperatures are poised to be on the chilly side, with highs around 20 degrees in many central and northern mountain resorts by Tuesday, and slightly warmer conditions in mountain towns predicted.
Following Tuesday’s snowfall, a second storm system is expected to develop on Wednesday, delivering continuous snowfall throughout the day, with intense snowfalls anticipated. Colorado’s central and southern regions are likely to see the heaviest accumulations. Forecasts suggest a snowfall rate of up to 1 inch per hour, with an additional total of 5-10 inches expected over the day alone.
In total, from Tuesday through Thursday, central and southern mountains could receive between 12-24 inches of new snow, while northern regions are set for slightly less, expecting about 7-14 inches. Snow will be the most abundant in areas favored by the prevailing west-southwest winds, including Irwin, Crested Butte, Monarch, and Snowmass.
As ski resorts prepare for the influx of visitors, not all may experience predictable conditions, with gusty winds and lowered visibility potentially impacting lift operations. However, the snow is expected to be softest by Thursday morning, providing the optimal powder experience for skiers looking for fresh tracks.
This welcome precipitation comes with a cautiously optimistic note regarding Colorado’s snowpack, which has faced record low levels due to prolonged drought conditions. While this storm will bring some relief, experts suggest it may not be sufficient to elevate the snowpack significantly. Sanders predicted that while this will help alleviate some of the winter’s dryness, the overall snowpack may still remain low, given the current standings compared to typical winters.
Looking ahead, another potential storm is forecast to hit around February 25-28, and although conditions will mostly be dry from Saturday through Tuesday, meteorologists remain hopeful for a more active weather pattern as winter progresses. “If this pattern continues, we could recover some ground in the latter part of winter,” Sanders said.