Update: First Week of February, Atmospheric River, Panhandle Hooker

Tomer’s Take: Two different storm systems remain on track 2/1-2/8. Storm #1 (2/1-2/4) delivers a moderate intensity atmospheric river (AR) surge, widespread heavy interior Rockies snow accumulation, and a Panhandle Hooker storm system for Colorado on 2/3. Storm #2 (2/5-2/8) delivers a weak AR surge and moderate to heavy interior Rockies snow accumulation.

My afternoon forecast video update:

Old Man Winter Rally 2/4

Event takes place in Lyons, CO on 2/4.

2/2: Increasing clouds, Rain to snow after 10pm, gusts under 15mph, 34/40F.

2/3: 3-6 inches, gusts under 15mph, 32/34F.

2/4: Drier, cloudy, 29/38F.

Current Setup

Water vapor satellite shows both storm systems lined-up in the Pacific riding a powerful Subtropical jet stream.

Orange/red = drier air aloft.

Forecast Freezing Level

Forecast rain/snow line (daily min/max):

Sierra, CA:

1/31: Falling from 10,000′ to 7,400′.

2/1: Falling from 7000′ to 3600′.

2/2: 2300/5600′.

2/3: 5100/6200′.

2/4: 5600/7200′.

Wasatch, UT:

2/1: 7900/9400′.

2/2: 5600/7100′.

2/3: 3900/5200′.

2/4: 5900/6700′.

Forecast Atmospheric River

Forecast Integrated Vapor Transport (IVT) showing two AR surges.

Forecast Jet Stream

Storm #1 arrives with powerful Subtropical jet stream.

Storm #2. Notice the trough moving west to east through UT/AZ/NM/CO.

Forecast Radar & Satellite

Forecast Totals

Grand Totals: Storm #1 + Storm #2.

Storm #1.

Storm #2.