Colorado Ski Resorts Expecting 1-2 Feet of Snow Ahead of Presidents' Day Weekend
A pair of colder systems this week will bring periods of light to moderate snowfall midweek, followed by a stronger round of heavy snow toward the end of the week and into the weekend. Temperatures will plunge across much of Colorado with the midweek storm, supporting notable mountain accumulations and a few lighter snow events. By late week, a surge of Pacific moisture should fuel widespread heavy snowfall over the southern and central mountains, with lighter but still appreciable snow reaching northern ranges as well.Light snow showers will continue to linger in the southwest mountains into Monday evening. Overall amounts from this initial weak disturbance remain minimal, generally an inch or two at most, while the valleys see little to no precipitation. Cool air follows, though higher terrain breezes will pick up slightly, creating a brisk environment across exposed ridges.A more substantial wave arrives late Tuesday into Wednesday, drawing frigid air southward across Colorado. Snow should begin Tuesday afternoon over the northern mountains, then spread across the central and southern ranges into Tuesday night. Accumulations of several inches are anticipated in the mountains, with snowfall persisting through Wednesday morning before gradually tapering off. Snow levels will easily drop to valley floors due to the cold airmass, and the gusty winds accompanying this system may enhance snowfall near the Continental Divide. In the wake of this midweek storm, temperatures will run well below seasonal averages Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows dipping into the single digits or below zero in some spots. Below is the NBM snowfall projection for the first storm, which overall feels about right:
A much stronger system takes aim at the state from late Thursday through Saturday, carrying abundant Pacific moisture. This setup should favor heavier snowfall for the southern and central mountains, where totals may reach or exceed a foot and a half. Northern ranges will likely see more moderate amounts, though still enough to freshen up slopes heading into the weekend. Another minor wave may brush northern Colorado late Sunday or Monday, but at this point looks to deliver only lighter accumulations. Beyond the weekend, a continued unsettled pattern could keep temperatures near or slightly below average, with additional rounds of snowfall possible next week. Below is the latest ECMWF ensemble hinting at additional storminess rolling into Colorado Monday/Tuesday of next week:
Wolf Creek – 18–33' total (2–4' Tue (02/11) – Tue night (02/11) + 16–27' Thu night (02/13) – Fri night (02/14) + 0–2' Sat (02/15))Crested Butte – 14–25' total (1–3' Tue night (02/11) + 13–22' Thu (02/13) – Sat (02/15))Steamboat – 11–24' total (2–5' Tue (02/11) – Tue night (02/11) + 8–15' Thu night (02/13) – Sat night (02/15) + 1–4' Sun night (02/16) – Mon (02/17))Snowmass – 12–23' total (2–5' Tue night (02/11) + 10–18' Thu night (02/13) – Sat (02/15))Telluride – 10–19' total (1–3' Tue night (02/11) + 9–16' Thu night (02/13) – Sat (02/15))Vail/Beaver Creek – 8–16' total (2–5' Tue night (02/11) + 6–11' Fri (02/14) – Sat night (02/15))Winter Park – 7–13' total (2–4' Tue night (02/11) + 5–9' Fri (02/14) – Sat night (02/15))Loveland/Arapahoe Basin – 5–11' total (1–3' Tue night (02/11) + 3–6' Fri (02/14) – Fri night (02/14) + 1–2' Sat (02/15))Copper Mountain/Breckenridge – 3–7' total (1–2' Tue night (02/11) + 2–5' Fri (02/14) – Fri night (02/14))Monarch – 3–6' Fri (02/14)Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world's best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.
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