Winter Weather — Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

2023-12-07 to 2023-12-08 · Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 2 to 4 inches fell across the area. Additionally, a snow squall moved through the area on 12/8, dropping visibilities at the Eagle County Regional Airport to a quarter of a mile as winds gusted above 30 mph peaking at 42 mph at No Name Tunnel sensor likely with the squall. Glenwood Canyon closed shortly after the squall due to an accident with numerous accidents in Silt, Glenwood and Carbondale with roads quickly becoming snow covered.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure trough with an associated cold front pushed through western Colorado and produced moderate snow across the northern and central mountains and some valleys. Additionally, gusty winds occurred with winds exceeding 50 mph in the mountains at times and in excess of 40 mph in the valleys, resulting in reduced visibilities. Instability associated with the front led to stronger snow bands along portions of west-central Colorado. As a result, a long-lived snow squall impacted the I-70 corridor from Grand Junction east towards Vail as visibilities dropped to less than one quarter mile, also resulting in a 21 car pileup between DeBeque and Parachute and a 13 mile stretch of I-70 closed for much of the afternoon into the evening on 12/8.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1149082. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.