Category: Forecasting

Photos: Deep Summit Snow on 14,115′ Pikes Peak

Tomer’s Take: Luke Doyle sent me several amazing photos of crews clearing the road to the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak. The bulk of this deep snow occurred during the ‘super soaker storm system’ on 5/10-5/12. I estimated 3-4 feet accumulated. All photos are from Luke Doyle who is a senior equipment operator on Pikes […]

Wildfire Smoke Forecast; Afternoon Thunderstorm Pattern

Tomer’s Take: Thick smoke continues to choke MT, WY, ID, parts of UT, parts of CO, and the Great Plains through 5/23. Then, the smoke starts to move east and away late 5/23 into 5/24 with improving air quality. Also, the afternoon thunderstorm pattern is engaged through the end of May. Smoke Forecast Below is […]

Next Surge of Wildfire Smoke; Afternoon Thunderstorm Pattern

Tomer’s Take: The next surge of wildfire smoke from Canada is moving south. A reinforcing shot hits MT, northern UT, WY, northern CO, and the Great Plains on 5/21-5/22. And, the afternoon thunderstorm pattern is fully engaged across the Intermountain West through the end of May. Is this normal for May? In Colorado, the answer […]

Wildfire Smoke Inbound, Denver Drought Gone, Afternoon Thunderstorm Pattern

Tomer’s Take: Smoke from wildfires in Canada is moving south into the United States and may affect the Intermountain West air quality through this weekend. And, record rainfall 5/10-5/12 wiped out the drought in Denver. Plus, the afternoon thunderstorm pattern is in full swing along with a surge of moisture on 5/18 and early 5/19 […]

Pikes Peak nailed by 3-4 feet of snow

Tomer’s Take: The ‘Super Soaker Storm System’ on 5/10-5/12 delivered 3-4 feet of snow to Pikes Peak (14,115ft). Photos were taken by Luke Doyle while clearing snow at Glen Cove and higher up on Pikes Peak. Robust Precipitation Precipitation totals 5/10-5/12. The closest CoCoRaHS observation to Pikes Peak is 3.86″ recorded in Manitou Springs. Next, […]

Rapid Snowmelt, Rich Moisture, Rain/Thunderstorm Pattern

Tomer’s Take: A surge of warm air will kick the snowmelt into high gear in UT, WY, CO through 5/24. I’m also forecasting a rich flow of moisture on Wednesday-Thursday this week with afternoon rain/t-storm chances each day. Forecast Freezing Level Wasatch Mountains, UT, Daily Max/Min: 5/15: 13600’/12800′ 5/16: 13600’/13500′ 5/17: 13600’/13000′ 5/18: 13500’/13000′ 5/19: […]

Rapid Snowmelt Coming to UT, CO, WY

Tomer’s Take: Freezing levels will rise quickly and stay high through 5/23. And, there’s a lot of snowpack remaining. Plus, the pattern remains wetter than normal on 5/14, 5/15, and 5/18 with rain showers/thunderstorms likely even at mid/high elevations. Forecast Freezing Level Wasatch Mountains, UT, Daily Max/Min: 5/14: 12800’/11800′ 5/15: 13600’/12600′ 5/16: 13800’/13600′ 5/17: 13600’/13100′ […]

Weekend Wind, Freezing Levels, and Monsoon-esque Flow

Tomer’s Take: A rich flow of moisture moves into CO and NM 5/13-5/15. It resembles the Monsoon, which typically occurs in July-August. There is a little snow in the forecast above 11,000ft. View from the Continental Divide at Loveland Ski Area this morning. I’m forecasting light snow tonight with a better chance of accumulating light/moderate […]

Foot of snow in Colorado; Monsoon-esque Flow 5/14-5/15

Tomer’s Take: A foot of snow has fallen above 10,000ft in parts of Colorado including Arapahoe Basin and Loveland Ski Area. 4-day rain totals in Denver now exceed four inches! What’s next? This storm system exits Colorado but a new push of moisture is likely 5/14-5/15. It resembles a Monsoon flow normally seen in July-August. […]

Snow is falling in Colorado along with soaking rain

Tomer’s Take: Snow is falling above 10,000ft in Colorado while Denver gets soaking rain through 5/12. Large, widespread hail nailed Denver and the Front Range last night. That risk has now passed as the storm system has “cooled”. I’m also watching a Monsoon-esque flow 5/14-5/15 as atmospheric wind turns southerly pulling up Gulf Moisture into […]