Winter Weather — Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

2025-01-10 to 2025-01-11 · Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 7 to 8 inches of snow fell across the eastern portions of the Central Yampa River Basin with 8.2 inches of snow reported at Hayden 1.6 SW. 2 to 3 inches of snow fell across the western portions of the Central Yampa River Basin including Craig and Meeker. Wind gusts were in the 25 to 30 mph range with a peak wind gust of 31 mph at Hunter Creek RAWS.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front associated with a low pressure trough moved northwest to southeast across western Colorado from the Pacific Northwest, resulting in moderate snowfall favoring the northern and central Colorado mountains as well as the Northwest San Juan Mountains. Heavy snow rates occurred along the cold front with cold air behind it, resulting in higher amounts for some higher valleys including the Upper Yampa River Basin, Hayden, and along Interstate 70 from Glenwood Springs eastward to Vail Pass. Heavier snowfall occurred in the Elkhead and Park Mountains where 1 to 2 feet of snow fell as well as locally higher amounts in the Uncompahgre Gorge of the Northwest San Juan Mountains due to colder air and favored orographic lift.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1233004. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.