Winter Weather — West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

2025-11-16 to 2025-11-17 · West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 5 to 11 inches of snow fell across the area with 11 inches at Schofield Pass. 8.3 inches of snow was reported at Crested Butte 6.2 N. Winds gusted in the 45 to 50 mph range at elevations above 11,900 feet with a peak wind gust of 53 mph at Irwin Ski.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system hanging around Southern California for a few days lifted across the Great Basin and across southwest Colorado, bringing a surge of modest atmospheric river moisture with it. Warm antecedent temperatures resulted in higher snow levels with mostly rain in lower elevations. Light to moderate snow accumulations occurred aross the central and southern mountains of western Colorado with areas of blowing snow as well due to strong winds above 12,000 feet.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1301169. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.