Winter Storm in La Sal & Abajo Mountains, Utah

Generally 10 to 20 inches of snow fell over the La Sal Mountains with 4 to 5 inches of snow over the Abajo Mountains. Winds gusted in the 50 to 55 mph range with a peak wind gust of 57 mph at Monticello. Wind gusts were likely higher at mountain top level but observations are missing.

A low pressure trough and associated cold front brought mild air ahead of it and much colder air behind it to result in light to moderate snowfall across most mountain areas of eastern Utah and western Colorado with rain changing over to snow in many lower valley locations even though accumulations remained light. Heavier snowfall seemed to favor the La Sal Mountains of southeast Utah as well as the northwest San Juans and Grand Mesa mainly due to the colder northerly flow behind the cold front. Winds were also fairly strong leading to blowing and drifting snow in some mountain areas.