Winter Weather — Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

2025-01-17 to 2025-01-18 · Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 4 to 7 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts up to 12 inches at Tower. Wind gusts up to 43 mph occurred at Storm Peak Lab but stayed below 45 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong arctic front and its associated shortwave trough of low pressure moved across western Colorado from north to south, producing light to moderate snowfall across the northern and central Colorado mountains. Locally higher amounts were seen in the Uncompahgre Gorge area of the Northwest San Juan Mountains due to favored northerly orographic lift and efficiently cold temperatures.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1233017. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.