Tomer’s Take
- Snow, wind, and cold continues through 4/17 across the West then drier.
- 150mph jet streak with favorable WNW orientation continues forcing orographic snow across the Central and Northern Mountains of Colorado 4/14-4/15. Abnormally cold temps near zero over the high passes.
- The pattern through 4/17 puts the brakes on the Spring Melt.
- Pattern shifts back to active on 4/20 and after for the West Coast.
8″ new snow last 24 hours at Winter Park.
2″ new snow last 24 hours at Aspen/Snowmass.
3.5″ new snow last 24 hours at Loveland.
Below, Winter Park looking more like January than April. Air temps are in the single digits with strong ridgetop wind gusts 30-60mph.
Water vapor satellite shows the storm track and storm systems lined-up. Red/orange = drier air aloft.
Wind Gust Forecast
Gusts (MPH) | 4/14 | 4/15 | 4/16 |
Crestone Peak | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Capitol Peak | 45 | 45 | 50 |
Kings Peak | 45 | 40 | 45 |
Grand Teton | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Mount Whitney | 55 | 35 | 65 |
Wheeler Peak | 45 | 45 | 50 |
Snow Forecast
4/14-4/17:
4/18-4/23:
For more analysis please watch my forecast video:
Looks like that blocking high off the coast of California has finally moved on and the storms are coming straight into the west instead of traveling into Canada and turning south down the Rockies. Good news for California.
Yes! It’s great for CA, finally. Chris