Winter Weather — Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

2025-11-16 to 2025-11-17 · Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Generally 4 to 9 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted in the 45 to 60 mph range at elevations above 12,000 feet with a peak wind gust of 60 mph at Telluride Gold Hill.

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 1301176. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.