Colorado Mountain Weather: Snowpack update and fresh snow coming

Colorado Snowpack

The Colorado Rockies have been benefiting from a rather consistent snow cycle through this entire month. In between weak disturbances were stronger storms that brought several inches of snow at a time to mountain locations.

As of January 21st, Colorado's snowpack is sitting at 112 percent of normal.

Colorado Snowpack as of January 21 

Our snowpack has remained above average just about this entire water season and that doesn't look to change anytime in the future.

Snowfall so far this January as Colorado Ski Areas: 

A good way to reference just how much snow has fallen is to look at the total amount of snow that has fallen at select ski areas across the state through the 21st.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has received 25" of snow
Aspen Highlands has received 47" of snow
Monarch Mountain has received 44" of snow
Steamboat Ski Resort has received 65" of snow! The most across the state.
Telluride Ski Resort has received 31" of snow
Wolf Creek Ski Area has received 39" of snow so far this month

So, in all, the resorts are doing well with rather consistent snow this month.

And there is more snow coming? 

Yupp! We're actually in the midst of more snow falling currently. There is a weak disturbance pushing across the state and that is bringing many of us cloud cover but in the mountains, light snow is falling. Light snow will continue through Wednesday and it will be heavy at times, mainly in the higher mountain pass elevations. 

And thanks to a persistent Northwest flow aloft, the mountains, especially the Northern Mountains, will see steady on-and-off snow showers through Friday before seeing a break in the weather. 

That break won't last long as another weak disturbance will push through the state on Saturday once again bring another round of light snow to the High Country. 

In total, snowfall amounts won't be that impressive but fresh snow is fresh snow. 

In the North and Central Mountains, snowfall may exceed 10" in the higher elevations near Rabbit Ear's Pass but more commonly 2-6" of snow will fall. 

In the Southern mountains, roughly the same amount of snow will fall. Between 2 and 6" of snow is expected for many ski area locations. 

Snowfall through Saturday 1/25

This added snow will help keep our snowpack steady through the weekend. 

Looking into next week, it looks like a decent storm may impact the state. Specifics of that are yet to be determined but if it plays out how it currently looks to, we're looking at great snow coming to Colorado. 

Snow or Shine

I'm Andy Stein