A significant snowfall is expected to hit Colorado ski resorts this weekend, bringing much-needed snow to the region after a relatively dry January. With Presidents Day on Monday, resorts like Steamboat are anticipating up to 34 inches of snow. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued a warning about increased backcountry avalanche danger.
Winter Park received 18 inches of snow last weekend and reported another eight on Wednesday and Thursday. Another foot is forecast over the next five days with Presidents Day being celebrated on Monday. (Provided by Winter Park Resort)Significant snowfall forecast for the Colorado high country this weekend couldn’t come at a better time for ski resorts that endured less than abundant snow in January.
With Presidents Day coming on Monday, Steamboat can expect to receive 34 inches over the next five days and 10 more resorts are forecast to receive 17-24 inches, according to the OpenSnow forecasting and reporting service. They include Vail, Beaver Creek, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Copper Mountain, Winter Park and the Aspen mountains. “The first part of the storm arrived on Thursday night and it dropped 12-18 inches on parts of the central and southern mountains,” OpenSnow founding meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote. “On Friday, the storm will continue with a lot of snow in the southern two thirds of Colorado. Then from Friday night through Saturday evening, additional snow will fall on all mountains. The next storm will then bring snow from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday.” The Colorado Avalanche Information Center issued a warning Thursday that the backcountry avalanche danger will rise to a high level (4 on a scale of 1-5). All that snow will be welcome to ski resort operators, though. As of Thursday, only two ski areas in the state had above average base depths, Monarch (105%) and Copper Mountain (104%), according to figures curated by OpenSnow. Eldora and Echo Mountain stood at 99%.Seven other resorts were above 90%, including Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Ski Cooper, Granby Ranch, Steamboat and Winter Park. Nine areas were below 80%, including Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Silverton, Snowmass, Sunlight and Wolf Creek. The two resorts hurting most are Purgatory at 50% and Wolf Creek at 47%.“The combination of a LOT of moisture and a southwest wind often brings the deepest snow to the southern mountains,’ Gratz wrote, “and Purgatory’s snow stake cam is about as deep as I’ve ever seen for a 12-hour total with 15-18 inches as of Friday at 5 a.m.” Colorado Avalanche Information Center director Ethan Greene said the backcountry danger this weekend will be higher than it has been at any time over the last month and a half. Historically, February has been the deadliest month for avalanches in Colorado. “We expect natural avalanches this weekend, and people venturing into the backcountry will be able to trigger slides big enough to bury, injure, or kill them,” Greene said in a news release. “And once the skies clear on Sunday, the chances of an accident will increase due to the nice weather, new snow, and dangerous avalanche conditions.
Colorado Ski Resorts Snowfall Avalanche Danger Presidents Day
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Colorado Snowfall Totals: January 26, 2025The National Weather Service reports on the snowfall totals across various locations in Colorado on January 26, 2025. The text includes specific snowfall amounts for numerous cities and mountain passes.
Read more »
Winter Storm Batters New Orleans, Breaks Records With Heavy SnowfallA rare and powerful winter storm dumped record-breaking snowfall on New Orleans, turning the usually warm city into a winter wonderland. The storm brought blizzard conditions, prompting officials to issue warnings and urging residents to stay home. The heavy snow caused significant disruptions to transportation and highlighted the unpreparedness of the region for such extreme weather.
Read more »
Gulf Coast Residents Embrace Rare, Heavy SnowfallResidents across the Gulf Coast are enjoying an unexpected winter wonderland brought on by a rare and heavy snowfall. Many took advantage of the day off to build snowmen, have snowball fights, and sled down hills.
Read more »
Heavy Snowfall Blankets Southern U.S., Breaking RecordsA winter storm brought heavy snowfall and sleet to the Southern United States, causing travel disruptions and breaking snowfall records in several states. Areas from Louisiana to Florida experienced significant accumulations, with some cities seeing their worst snowstorms in decades.
Read more »
Heavy Snowfall Hits Alaska, Bringing Flooding and Cold TemperaturesParts of southcentral and interior Alaska experienced significant snowfall, with some areas recording up to 36 inches. The heavy accumulations led to road closures and flooding in the Anchorage area and on the Kenai Peninsula. A flood alert has been lifted, but residents continue to face water damage. A significant shift in weather is expected as colder air moves into the state, potentially dropping temperatures to sub-zero levels, with some areas seeing temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero at night.
Read more »
Heavy Snowfall Cripples Washington State, Causing Dangerous Driving ConditionsA massive snowstorm descended upon Washington state on Sunday, leading to hazardous road conditions and widespread travel disruptions. The heaviest snowfall was reported in Whatcom County, where roads were rendered impassable by a combination of ice and snow. The south Sound region also experienced snow showers, creating treacherous driving conditions. Authorities issued warnings and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Read more »