Heavy Snow — Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

2025-01-10 to 2025-01-11 · Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 12 to 20 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts up to 24 inches at Tower. 12 inches of snow was reported at Steamboat Springs 2.5 N. Winds gusted up to 42 mph at Storm Peak Lab but stayed below 45 mph.

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 1233005. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.