Windy Weekend Wraps Up in Colorado’s Ski Resorts
As skiers and snowboarders flocked to Colorado’s high country this past weekend, they encountered conditions described as “dust on crust” on windward slopes and soft powder on leeward slopes. The highlight of Sunday was the strong winds that swept across the region, with gusts reaching over 55 mph at Winter Park. Despite forecasts predicting heavier snowfall, the northern and west-central mountains only received 1-2 inches, while southern regions saw trace snowfall.
Looking ahead, Monday’s forecast promises clear skies but continued windy conditions, particularly in the northern Front Range, Sawatch Range, and Park Range mountains. Winds are expected to sustain at 15-20 mph, with gusts of 35-45 mph forecasted.
The end of the three-day storm system is set for Monday night, bringing hopes of 3-6 inches of snow to northern mountains, and up to 9 inches around the Park Range by Wednesday morning, with Steamboat and Howelsen expected to gain the most from this snowfall.
Despite the recent snowfall, Colorado’s snowpack decreased significantly from 128% of average on December 1 to 99% by December 15, with a snow water equivalent rising to 4.7 inches. However, the latest snowfalls provide much-needed relief for river basins in northwestern Colorado that have lagged behind in accumulation.
Looking further ahead, weather patterns suggest potential storm systems rolling in around December 24, with possible snow events expected to benefit skiers and riders just in time for the holidays. After a relatively quiet December, Colorado’s high country could be set for a snowy end to the year, promising enjoyable conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.