It's a skier's dream and a transplant's worse nightmare.
The next few days will be quite frosty for some Coloradans as a series of winter storms pushes through the state from the southwest. While much of the Front Range will most likely stay a little drier, meteorologist Joel Gratz expects that this "southwest flow" of storm energy will particularly impact the southern mountains in areas like Pagosa Springs. The nearby Wolf Creek ski resort boasts that they have "the most snow in Colorado" on their website, and they sure aren't lying. An astounding 26 inches of snow is expected to fall there in the following days.
Courtesy of the National Weather Service
The National Weather Service issued two winter weather advisories on Thursday and warned that travel could be impacted, especially over mountain passes. The first advisory is for the Elkhead and Park Mountains and Flat Tops, including the cities of Columbine, Hahns Peak, Toponas, Buford, Trappers Lake, Manila, and Dutch John. This advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday through 11 p.m. Saturday.
The second advisory is for the Grand and Battlement Mesas, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, and the Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide. This includes the cities of Crested Butte, Taylor Park, Marble, Ridgway, Glade Park, and Monticello. It's in effect from 5 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday. The snow is expected to taper off Saturday night and then regain intensity Sunday morning.
Learn the difference between a Winter Storm Watch, Winter Storm Warning, and a Winter Weather Advisory. A warning means TAKE ACTION! A watch means Get Prepared! An advisory means Take Precautions! Find out more at: https://t.co/9nKFEcM8S8 #WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/j2QjSjYRy6
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 21, 2021
Central and northern mountains will likely see some snow, though not nearly as much. As any Coloradan can tell you, a little bit of snow won't stop them from enjoying the outdoors, and there are plenty of hikes that are completely manageable year-round. Still, if you plan on heading out to the mountains this weekend, be sure to check the mountain forecasts of each area you'll be traveling through, as conditions can vary throughout.
A lot of this snow will be off and on for days as storm energy surges through the state in waves, so you should always stay up-to-date on the latest forecasts. If you haven't broken out your winter tires yet, now would be a good time. Stay safe, everyone!
Do you live in one of these snowy areas? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to submit pictures.
