Winter Storm — Grand & Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet, Colorado

2014-12-21 to 2014-12-23 · Grand & Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet, Colorado

Wider weather episode

A winter storm produced heavy snow and very strong winds in the mountains of northern Colorado. Peak wind gusts to nearly 100 mph were recorded above timberline atop Loveland Pass. In addition, storm totals exceeded 2 feet in some locations. In the mountains, storm totals included: 30 inches, 9 miles east-northeast of Steamboat Springs; 22 inches near Breckenridge and 11 miles south of Rabbit Ears Pass; 20 inches near Copper Mountain; 16 inches near Cameron and Loveland Passes; 15 inches, 4 miles west-southwest of Trail Ridge; 14 inches, 5 miles south-southwest of Blue River; 13 inches near Berthoud Pass; 12 inches near Guanella Pass and Long Draw Pass. Lesser amounts of 6 to 11 inches were recorded. Peak wind gusts included: 98 mph atop Loveland Pass; 84 mph atop Berthoud Pass and 79 mph at Breckenridge Ski Area.

Strong winds were also observed across parts of the east central plains of Colorado as the system exited the state. Peak wind gusts included 67 mph at Limon Airport and 61 mph at Hugo.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 552591. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.