Report: Powderchasers.com
Decent moisture and very cold temperatures are currently working there way down from the northern Rockies which will intensify as it works it’s way towards south east Wyoming and most of the mountains from Fort Collins through the Denver Metro area foothills. Light to moderate snow is currently falling over many areas of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho while a cold front moves into Colorado late tonight. Here is a current picture from the base of Grand Targhee Ski area this morning with light snow currently falling.
Snow will intensify over southern Wyoming tonight creating white out conditions along Interstate 80 near Laramie and move south into most of the mountains of Colorado tonight and Monday morning. Winds are from the North/Northeast which will favor areas just west of Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain National Park, Front range Denver foothills, and south through Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs. Expect 7-14 inches in these areas by mid Monday morning (Time to snowshoe and grab those cross country skis). Snow will be falling in the metro areas especially near Boulder with perhaps 5-10 inches. Ski resorts favored by these pattern are closer to the eastern sections of the mountain ranges. We think Eldora is highly favored and areas like Loveland and perhaps Monarch are 2nd picks. Sometimes easterly flow reaches areas like Salida and Georgetown and decrease as you get into higher elevations. Regardless, Models are showing a wide area of snowfall including the western mountains of Colorado where our custom forecast is calling for 4-8 inches (Many resorts along or west of the Continental Divide). Models are showing a chance of higher amounts near Glenwood Springs (Sunlight) or Aspen however its a wildcard due to poor wind direction. Cold air orographics will keep snow showers going over most of the Interstate 70 corridor through Monday afternoon. The good: Most of Colorado will see snowfall from this storm. The bad: Areas closer to the foothills near Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver will see the highest amounts. Its possible that orographics put up more impressive numbers west of the Divide than models are forecasting (4-8 is likely with higher amounts possible).
Rocky Mountain National Park and areas west and north of Fort Collins closer to Wyoming will see significant snowfall.
The extended forecast shows cold air entering the Pacific Northwest late this week and a chance of additional snowfall in the West next weekend.
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Powderchaser Steve.
