Winter Storm — La Sal & Abajo Mountains, Utah

2024-10-29 to 2024-10-30 · La Sal & Abajo Mountains, Utah

Event narrative

Generally 11 to 16 inches of snow fell at the Abajo Mountains with 3 to 6 inches at the La Sal Mountains. Winds gusted 45 to 65 mph at elevations above 11,000 feet.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure trough dropped into the Great Basin, bringing well above normal moisture to eastern Utah and western Colorado in the realm of 200 to 300 percent above normal. Cold air associated with this storm system in addition to the moisture and strong winds from the upper level jet, led to widespread moderate to heavy snowfall across the mountains of eastern Utah and western Colorado. The heaviest snowfall occurred over the mountains of southwest and west-central Colorado where 1 to 2 feet of snow fell. Winds gusted upwards of 45 to 65 mph on average across most mountain ranges, with peak wind gusts of 80 to 90 mph over the San Juan mountains leading to blowing snow and whiteout conditions. Snow levels remained high with lower valleys receiving primarily rain with this system.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220609. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.