Winter weather returned Thursday across Colorado's high country and some snow fell.
Within the next 48-hours, a prolonged snow event has and will continue to shape up, delivering up to 30 inches to several mountainous regions across the state.
Recap:
On Thursday, while the Denver metro area and eastern Plains were dealing with thunderstorms and tornado warnings, some snow fell across Colorado's high county with 1-6 inches of snow accumulating.
Forecast:
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a winter weather advisory for the western slope from 3 p.m., Friday to 6 a.m., Sunday, calling for snow accumulations between 6-12 inches from the Park and Rabbit Ears ranges in the north to the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo ranges in the south.
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a winter storm watch from Friday evening to Saturday night. Do not be surprised if the watch turns into a warning later Friday, as the NWS is forecasting between 8-18 inches of snow in the eastern Front Range foothills above 6,000 feet.
A map of expected snowfall totals from a late-April snow storm from April 26-28, 2024 for Colorado.
The NWS also forecasts possible snow accumulations between 1-3 feet above 10,000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Medicine Bow Range, the mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range and the Indian Peaks.
Traveling to and in the mountains could become hazardous the NWS warns, and expect slick roads with heavy snow and delays on highways.
These areas include four of the five remaining open ski areas, however at Purgatory north of Durango, that resort should still receive between 8-12 inches of snow for its closing weekend skiing and riding.
Snow accumulation grand total potentials:
• Northern mountains: 18-24", up to 30-36" locally
• Central mountains: 12-20"
• Southern mountains: 14-20"
A Weather.us forecast map from the ICON model shows the potential total accumulation levels of water-equivalent precipitation as of 10 a.m., Sunday, April 28 for Colorado. Depending on the density of the snow, one inch of water is equivalent to 10 inches of snow based on a common rule of thumb ratio of 10:1.
Long Range:
As stated in Thursday's whiteout forecast, for Monday through Wednesday, gradual warming each day with sunny skies and highs in the 50s will greet skiers and riders of the five remaining open ski areas. Monday will be the windiest day of the three, but near perfect spring conditions will return after the large-scale snow event from the weekend.
From May 2-8, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 8-14 day temperature outlook forecasts nearly all of Colorado's mountainous regions to experience above normal average temperatures of between 40%-50%.
A map of the 8-14 day temperature outlook for the United States from May 2-8, 2024, shows above average temperatures for over 60% of the nation, including Colorado with the state's mountainous regions 40%-50% above average.
Convective snow showers or thunder snow is possible Thursday and Friday in the 10-day outlook, but this might be the end of fresh, spring-snow or spring-powder for skiing and riding season 2023-24.
Copper Mountain is hosting its Slush Rush competition near the American Eagle chairlift and Superpipe on Saturday. The Denver Gazette will be covering some of the day's fun and events, with text, photos and video to enjoy from the mayhem that certainly will ensue. Check back Monday for a wrap up.
Today's 24 hour snow totals from Colorado resorts:
Arapahoe Basin - 4"
Breckenridge - 6" (Parts of Peak 8, plus Peaks 9 and 10 closed)
Copper Mountain - 5"
Loveland - 6"
Purgatory - 0" (Open Fri-Sun)
Winter Park - 6"
Aspen Highlands - Closed for season
Aspen Mountain - Closed for season
Beaver Creek - Closed for season
Buttermilk - Closed for season
Cooper - Closed for season
Crested Butte - Closed for season
Echo Mountain - Closed for season
Eldora Mountain - Closed for season
Granby Ranch - Closed for season
Hesperus - Closed for season
Howelsen Hill - Closed for season
Kendall Mountain - Closed for season
Keystone - Closed for season
Monarch - Closed for season
Powderhorn - Closed for season
Silverton - Closed for season
Snowmass - Closed for season
Steamboat - Closed for season
Sunlight - Closed for season
Telluride - Closed for season
Vail - Closed for season
Wolf Creek - Closed for season
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