Winter Weather — Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

2025-04-01 · Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts in the town of Ouray with 15.4 inches of snow reported. 11 inches of snow was reported at the Monument site along Highway 550 in the Uncompahgre Gorge at higher elevations. Winds generally gusted in the 45 to 65 mph range at elevations above 9,000 feet with wind gusts in the 75 to 80 mph range at elevations above 12,000 feet. Peak wind gust of 81 mph was reported at Telluride Ski Resort Dynamo.

Wider weather episode

A closed low pressure system over the Pacific Northwest brought a strong cold front across the area that moved through from northwest to southeast. Light to moderate snowfall fell over most mountain areas of eastern Utah and western Colorado with heaviest amounts favored among the Uncompahgre Gorge of the northwest San Juans as well as some northwest favored slopes. The northwest Colorado valleys also saw light to moderate snowfall with lesser amounts elsewhere. In addition strong winds led to impacts due to blowing snow and low visibility with gusts in the 60 to 80 mph range across some higher mountain areas and gusts of 40 to 60 mph across the northwest Colorado valleys in addition to the snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1248874. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.