Heavy Snow — Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Colorado

2024-11-25 to 2024-11-27 · Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 38.4 inches of snow fell at Columbine Pass with 4 to 8 inches at the lower elevations, including 7.8 inches reported at Ridgway 3.3 NNW.

Wider weather episode

A very strong Atmospheric River event brought prolonged period of heavy snowfall accumulations to southeast Utah and much of western Colorado in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, resulting in upwards of 2 to 3 feet of snow for many mountain areas with locally higher amounts above 40 inches. Some higher valley locations, in particular the Gunnison Basin and Upper Yampa River Basin, received over a foot of snow. Some areas along Interstate 70 also received moderate to heavy snowfall, including valley locations. Travel was significantly impacted during this event in the days leading up to Thanksgiving with road closures. Some lower valleys received over an inch of rain as well with light snow accumulations once the rain changed over to snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1224496. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.