Colorado Forecasters Expect 15 Inches in Snow Storm
Colorado forecasters expect a snow storm to bring up to 15 inches of snow to the mountains on Thursday and Friday. Drivers were told to use care Thursday night and Friday morning along the I-70 corridor near Vail Pass.
The National Weather Service said the system could bring between 5 and 13 inches of snowfall, with the highest totals on the Front Range and in the Mosquito Range. Scattered rain and snow showers could continue through the weekend, and another period of unsettled weather is likely around Monday.
Lucas Boyer On Drought
National Weather Service meteorologist Lucas Boyer said the storm will bring measurable snow, but not enough to significantly improve drought conditions. He said, “The truth of the matter is that we’ve been so dry that it does feel wet right now.”
Widespread drought conditions persist across Colorado, and the U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly the entire Western Slope under extreme or exceptional drought conditions. The northwest corner of the state is facing some of the worst drought conditions in the entire country.
Colorado Mountains This Week
This week, some places in the mountains picked up up to 1 inch of snow-water equivalent. In Meeker, liquid precipitation for this time of year is 3 inches below normal and roughly one-quarter of what it usually is. In Aspen, average precipitation for this time of year is down by about 30%.
Boyer said, “We’re just getting a reprieve, at least, from the critical fire weather conditions because we have a little bit of moisture on the ground keeping our relative humidity up.” He also said, “We haven’t had a big storm come through, per se, where we break down the high pressure system, and then get those big winds either.”
Weekend Weather In Colorado
Colorado is expected to keep trending slightly wetter, but also hotter, over the next two weeks. Thunderstorms are also possible, and Boyer said, “So that keeps critical fire weather at arm’s reach, too. Without those winds.”
For people traveling the I-70 corridor near Vail Pass, Thursday night and Friday morning bring the most direct travel concern in the current forecast. For areas in drought, the storm adds moisture without ending the broader dry pattern.
