Updated snowfall map for the current storm through Sun am

02/13/25 8:30pm: Forecast is on track with just a few small adjustments. Below is my updated total snowfall map through 5am Sun. You can see the big Pacific storm system (left overs of the atmospheric river) pushing into CO now. Web-cams show snow flying across western CO with 1-3" already at areas like Crested Butte, Steamboat and Vail.

Initially with the southwest flow, western / southern CO will be favored through mid-day tomorrow (west of Vail Pass). Then as the colder air and better west / northwest flow moves in, heavier snow expected for the north-central mountains from Fri night through Sat night (likely a break Sat morning, before more Sat afternoon/evening). Turning windy in spots across the mountains from 12pm-8pm Sat as the cold-front moves through. Still looking at generally 8-18" for the local ski areas favoring areas west of Vail Pass (Vail, BC, Steamboat, Aspen). Check map for amounts.

Of course heavy snow for parts of the San Juans and western / southern Elks. Looks like areas just west of CB could be favored for > 2ft. Also parts of the San Juans near Silverton and/or Wolf Creek will likely have 2ft in spots. Generally 1-2ft for all the southwestern ski areas (even Durango will get some good snow)

For Den/Bou and the front-range still a tricky forecast. Initially warm tomorrow with temps getting into the upper 50s by midday. Then a chance for rain showers after 5pm tomorrow with a few rain/snow showers Fri night into early Sat. Then best chance for some snow will come on Sat as the cold-air gets dragged back in from the north (as the trough passes south). So some snow-showers likely from 2pm Sat to 5am Sun. Doesn't look like much for the urban corridor, maybe Trace-3" in spots, favoring areas near Ft. Collins and also Colorado Springs (foothills maybe a bit more).

Another round (or two) of snow expected for the north-central mountains from about 5pm Sun through 5am Tue: additional 6-10" seems likely and colder.

And for the front-range looks like another shot of arctic air likely by Mon night into Tue and Wed...very cold again with high temps in the single digits likely (uncertainty is high). More on all that later.

That is all for now. First image is my snowfall map through Sun am (doesn't include the Sun night to Tue snow). Second image is latest IR satellite loop showing the heavy moisture moving in. Image 3 is forecast total snowfall just through 5pm Sat from latest HRRR and 4th image is forecast total snowfall through 11am Sun from CAIC WRF-2km model (seems to have a decent handle on things)...take with grain of salt but you can see where the heavier snow will be.

I'll be skiing with the family tomorrow (in the snow, with some pow 🙂 ) so likely no more updates until tomorrow evening, and we will look at some initial totals.