Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

[montanaskier]

Lovely imagery here:
http://wxweb.meteostar.com/models/ip...K_PRECIP_WINDS


Looks like SW CO wins this weekend but the entire state goes nutty next Wednesday through Saturday. And my money says Telluride/Silverton is where you'll want to be for New Year's. #bamacansuckadick





How's that for looking good?

Nice Tom....by the way, Bama won the SEC title and it started snowing...I think you can all jump on the bandwagon now.

[pappag]

Nice Tom....by the way, Bama won the SEC title and it started snowing...I think you can all jump on the bandwagon now.

Potential zombie blizzard set for New Year's Day and again Jan 4-6 just in time for the big game. So you might be right ... perhaps this Bama curse is gone since all this snow will be puking from the sky long before the final whistle.

[stupendous man]

can someone point to me to where SW winds are not good for north of the san juans? is it only because the san juans suck the moisture and therefore all other ranges are in the shadow?

[montanaskier]

can someone point to me to where SW winds are not good for north of the san juans? is it only because the san juans suck the moisture and therefore all other ranges are in the shadow?

basically....lots of mtns and ranges between say Eagle Cty and the San Juans.

[Bronic]

can someone point to me to where SW winds are not good for north of the san juans? is it only because the san juans suck the moisture and therefore all other ranges are in the shadow?

Stolen from Joel

[BDKeg]

Lovely imagery here:
http://wxweb.meteostar.com/models/ip...K_PRECIP_WINDS


Looks like SW CO wins this weekend but the entire state goes nutty next Wednesday through Saturday. And my money says Telluride/Silverton is where you'll want to be for New Year's. #bamacansuckadick





How's that for looking good?

the models look so damn good, at this point we're right in the storm track and shit will just keep coming our way for awhile.

[garuda]

Pattern change in 2 weeks.

Looks like Ullr's getting a chubby for CO.

[PowTron]

Looks like Ullr's getting a chubby for CO.

Looks like Tahoe could be awfully fun, too...

[Blizzard_of_Oz]

How's that for looking good?

That's looking good. I'll take it!
Models have low skill that far out (+8 days), but they do have some skill, which means they have to get it right on occasion.

A week out, the reforecast is showing much more precip than the standard NCEP ensemble. Let's hope the reforecast is correct!

[Bronic]

That's looking good. I'll take it!
Models have low skill that far out (+8 days), but they do have some skill, which means they have to get it right on occasion.

A week out, the reforecast is showing much more precip than the standard NCEP ensemble. Let's hope the reforecast is correct!

What is the reforecast?? And where is it in the NCEP menu

[pfluffenmeister]

mounting up some fatties tonight.




Winter Storm Watch issued December 12 at 12:56PM PST until December 15 at 2:00AM PST by NWS

...A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM EARLY FRIDAY MORNING UNTIL EARLY SATURDAY MORNING FOR MOST OF THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF SOUTHWEST COLORADO ABOVE 6000 FEET... .A POTENT WINTER STORM WILL PUSH ONTO THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST THURSDAY NIGHT THEN PASS JUST SOUTH OF THE FOUR CORNERS FRIDAY AFTERNOON. EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...A STRONG SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT WILL SPREAD SNOW SHOWERS INTO THE SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS BEFORE SUNRISE. THE BEST SNOW SHOWERS WILL OCCUR FRIDAY AS THE COLD FRONT PASSES. SNOW LEVELS ON FRIDAY MAY BE AROUND 6000 FEET. SNOW SHOWERS WILL WIND DOWN FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE STORM SHIFTS EAST AND THE FLOW ALOFT SWITCHES TO NORTHWEST. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON SNOW AMOUNTS AND SNOW LEVELS. ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

TIMING...LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

SNOW ACCUMULATION...OVER A FOOT OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE.

[pbourdon]

While its true that the SW can get big storms, the Summit county mountains and the front range typically dont see BIG storms. At least not like Tahoe, WA, UT, WY or just about any other spot in the west. Why? We're too far from the moisture source (the pacific), and we're generally on the very edge of both the northern and southern storm tracks to really get pummeled like Wolfie or the Boat do. The only thing we really have going for us is our elevation which will wring out any moisture available but since we're in such a dry climate that only typically equates to inches, not feet at a time. It sucks, but its reality. How many times have those of you who have lived here for 15-20years ever seen 24hr totals in summit over 20"? I bet you can count those occurances on one hand. The best we can hope for around here is to get a consistent 4-6" everyday for several weeks like we saw in 2010-2011. The only bummer about a storm cycle like that is that it can take weeks to pile up enough snow to get terrain open or cover up enough shit in the backcountry to be good. Its not butthurt, its reality. Id much rather be somewhere that sees the kind of monster cycles that the west coast sees even if it means longer periods without snow and even some rain. But Im impatient and i cant stand to wait for weeks for snow to accumulate 2" at a time when other places see 10"+ every 12hrs during their events. Face it, this is simply the wrong place to be if you like truly epic days. For now road trips to Wolie and Silvy will suffice but i gotta get back to the deep snowpack offered by the west coast. This tiddly winks shit is lame. I hope im proved wrong and we see a 50-60" week around here but better judgement tells me thats highly unlikely.

[cmsummit]

While its true that the SW can get big storms, the Summit county mountains and the front range typically dont see BIG storms. At least not like Tahoe, WA, UT, WY or just about any other spot in the west. Why? We're too far from the moisture source (the pacific), and we're generally on the very edge of both the northern and southern storm tracks to really get pummeled like Wolfie or the Boat do. The only thing we really have going for us is our elevation which will wring out any moisture available but since we're in such a dry climate that only typically equates to inches, not feet at a time. It sucks, but its reality. How many times have those of you who have lived here for 15-20years ever seen 24hr totals in summit over 20"? I bet you can count those occurances on one hand. The best we can hope for around here is to get a consistent 4-6" everyday for several weeks like we saw in 2010-2011. The only bummer about a storm cycle like that is that it can take weeks to pile up enough snow to get terrain open or cover up enough shit in the backcountry to be good. Its not butthurt, its reality. Id much rather be somewhere that sees the kind of monster cycles that the west coast sees even if it means longer periods without snow and even some rain. But Im impatient and i cant stand to wait for weeks for snow to accumulate 2" at a time when other places see 10"+ every 12hrs during their events. Face it, this is simply the wrong place to be if you like truly epic days. For now road trips to Wolie and Silvy will suffice but i gotta get back to the deep snowpack offered by the west coast. This tiddly winks shit is lame. I hope im proved wrong and we see a 50-60" week around here but better judgement tells me thats highly unlikely.

Good grief.

[BDKeg]

How many times have those of you who have lived here for 15-20years ever seen 24hr totals in summit over 20"? I bet you can count those occurances on one hand.

pretty rare for 20" in 24hrs in CO except for the micro climate zones, which are usually the mountains right at the start of a range so there isn't any rain shadow effect (wolf creek pass/southern san juans/kebler pass/steamboat area). 20" is way more common in the 36-72hrs range. It's true that summit/front range gets less because of the rain shadow effect except for upslopes, but the big problem is the wind factory there.

[hatchgreenchile]

While its true that the SW can get big storms, the Summit county mountains and the front range typically dont see BIG storms. At least not like Tahoe, WA, UT, WY or just about any other spot in the west. Why? We're too far from the moisture source (the pacific), and we're generally on the very edge of both the northern and southern storm tracks to really get pummeled like Wolfie or the Boat do.

Well, when you're 900 miles from the ocean, outside of the micro climates, you're not going to get many 500" seasons. Plenty of 300-400" seasons though, which I think I can somehow deal with.

What you lose in quantity, you gain in quality. Rain? Forget about it. 15% density sludge? No chance. Thermal cycles? Nope. You get snow so fucking light (even lighter than Utah, look it up) they trademark the stuff.

[cmsummit]

It's true that summit/front range gets less because of the rain shadow effect except for upslopes, but the big problem is the wind factory there.

I usually find the wind at a place like Breck to be more of a positive than a negative to be honest. Sure, you get those horrid days when it strips everything, but more often than not, you get those moderate winds that refill the high alpine when it hasn't snowed in days. I guess if I lived in a place that received more snow, I wouldn't put as much value on wind refills, but I love the smoove, creamy turns.

[pbourdon]

Well, when you're 900 miles from the ocean, outside of the micro climates, you're not going to get many 500" seasons. Plenty of 300-400" seasons though, which I think I can somehow deal with.

What you lose in quantity, you gain in quality. Rain? Forget about it. 15% density sludge? No chance. Thermal cycles? Nope. You get snow so fucking light (even lighter than Utah, look it up) they trademark the stuff.

Fuck light snow. Light snow is why you still hit rocks with 45" on the ground. Light dry snow is why we have to tip-toe around the backcountry and no even so much as look at steep lines until April or May. Sorry, but ill take 20" of supportive, wet, stable snow over 20" of blower i sink all the way through and feel bottom on every turn. I get it that skiers like dry snow because its easier to ski through but on a snowboard (the superior powder tool) dense snow is way more fun and way more surfy. Dont even get me started on the benefits of wet snow in its abilty to create fun terrain features like spines and flutes and its ability to stick to terrain steeper than 50 degrees. Theres a reason film crews rarely shoot here and choose places like Tahoe, WA, BC, and AK to do the majority of their filming. Face it, scummit and the front range is great if youre from texas or a skier content to abiding by the rules dictated by our snowpack and terrain; but honestly the best riding and touring happens in the wetter climates.

ETA: I've lived in both places and ridden both places at their worst and their best and hands down the maritime region>continental region. Specifically WA. You wanna talk summer turns? How 'bout 4000vert on a volcano in July. Yeah, wet deep snow totally sucks

[hatchgreenchile]

I usually find the wind at a place like Breck to be more of a positive than a negative to be honest. Sure, you get those horrid days when it strips everything, but more often than not, you get those moderate winds that refill the high alpine when it hasn't snowed in days. I guess if I lived in a place that received more snow, I wouldn't put as much value on wind refills, but I love the smoove, creamy turns.

On a windy day, you can see this happening from Copper.

All that snow by the SKY chutes getting blown up and over Peak 7 and 8 and dumped onto the Breck side.

[Hott Butt Mud]

Fuck light snow. Light snow is why you still hit rocks with 45" on the ground. Light dry snow is why we have to tip-toe around the backcountry and no even so much as look at steep lines until April or May. Sorry, but ill take 20" of supportive, wet, stable snow over 20" of blower i sink all the way through and feel bottom on every turn. I get it that skiers like dry snow because its easier to ski through but on a snowboard (the superior powder tool) dense snow is way more fun and way more surfy. Dont even get me started on the benefits of wet snow in its abilty to create fun terrain features like spines and flutes and its ability to stick to terrain steeper than 50 degrees. Theres a reason film crews rarely shoot here and choose places like Tahoe, WA, BC, and AK to do the majority of their filming. Face it, scummit and the front range is great if youre from texas or a skier content to abiding by the rules dictated by our snowpack and terrain; but honestly the best riding and touring happens in the wetter climates.

I hear ya buddy. But, clearly you have never skied in LCC in 32" of blower pow! If you did you wouldn't be saying fuck light snow...

Utah is where it's at IMO. Pretty good snowpack AND light, deep, blower pow.

Colorado is kind of for gapers and park rats mostly. If you are living your life for 100% ski/ride then you are kind of stupid to live in CO (if you aren't a park skier). However, if you are living somewhere for a year-round life, then CO is the fuckin' RADO homie.

Maybe you should STFU and move back to Kalamazoo or East Lansing or whatever fucking Michigan shithole you're from and leave this board to the weather discussion topic that it should be. Maybe?

[Rontele]

Fuck light snow. Light snow is why you still hit rocks with 45" on the ground. Light dry snow is why we have to tip-toe around the backcountry and no even so much as look at steep lines until April or May. Sorry, but ill take 20" of supportive, wet, stable snow over 20" of blower i sink all the way through and feel bottom on every turn. I get it that skiers like dry snow because its easier to ski through but on a snowboard (the superior powder tool) dense snow is way more fun and way more surfy. Dont even get me started on the benefits of wet snow in its abilty to create fun terrain features like spines and flutes and its ability to stick to terrain steeper than 50 degrees. Theres a reason film crews rarely shoot here and choose places like Tahoe, WA, BC, and AK to do the majority of their filming. Face it, scummit and the front range is great if youre from texas or a skier content to abiding by the rules dictated by our snowpack and terrain; but honestly the best riding and touring happens in the wetter climates.

Bourdon's Butthurtz

[pbourdon]

I hear ya buddy. But, clearly you have never skied in LCC in 32" of blower pow! If you did you wouldn't be saying fuck light snow...

Utah is where it's at IMO. Pretty good snowpack AND light, deep, blower pow.

Colorado is kind of for gapers and park rats mostly. If you are living your life for 100% ski/ride then you are kind of stupid to live in CO (if you aren't a park skier). However, if you are living somewhere for a year-round life, then CO is the fuckin' RADO homie.

Maybe you should STFU and move back to Kalamazoo or East Lansing or whatever fucking Michigan shithole you're from and leave this board to the weather discussion topic that it should be. Maybe?

Does Targhee on a 22" day count? Similar idea. Still would rather be on 40" of cold storm WA or Sierra snow. Dont worry, I'm looking to GTFO after this season and get back to the good ol wet coast. The major advantage that CO offers me is its cheap to live here and Texans will throw lots of money at me for teaching them how to ride a snowboard. That part isnt so bad. Just wish it snowed more and was more stable here. People are good. All the sunshine is nice too, but shit, its damn hard to know its gonna be another 3weeks before the touring gets decent when places in WA are open wall to wall and the bc is pretty well set up to do whatever you want. *Le sigh*

[hatchgreenchile]

Fuck light snow. Light snow is why you still hit rocks with 45" on the ground. Light dry snow is why we have to tip-toe around the backcountry and no even so much as look at steep lines until April or May. Sorry, but ill take 20" of supportive, wet, stable snow over 20" of blower i sink all the way through and feel bottom on every turn. I get it that skiers like dry snow because its easier to ski through but on a snowboard (the superior powder tool) dense snow is way more fun and way more surfy. Dont even get me started on the benefits of wet snow in its abilty to create fun terrain features like spines and flutes and its ability to stick to terrain steeper than 50 degrees. Theres a reason film crews rarely shoot here and choose places like Tahoe, WA, BC, and AK to do the majority of their filming. Face it, scummit and the front range is great if youre from texas or a skier content to abiding by the rules dictated by our snowpack and terrain; but honestly the best riding and touring happens in the wetter climates.

ETA: I've lived in both places and ridden both places at their worst and their best and hands down the maritime region>continental region. Specifically WA. You wanna talk summer turns? How 'bout 4000vert on a volcano in July. Yeah, wet deep snow totally sucks

Sure kid, wet snow rules. Flying through 20" of blower at Steamboat? Fucking epic. Trying to pole through 20" of sludge at Alpine Meadows that rides barely deeper than your calves? Lame.
Making turns in July? Yawn. Skiing and riding are winter sports. The summer is for hiking, mountain biking and doing your scouting for hunting season.

Summit County is kind of for gapers and park rats mostly. If you are living your life for 100% ski/ride then you're stupid not to live in the Elks, Park Range or San Juans.

FIFY.

[UGASkiDawg]

Fuck light snow. Light snow is why you still hit rocks with 45" on the ground. Light dry snow is why we have to tip-toe around the backcountry and no even so much as look at steep lines until April or May. Sorry, but ill take 20" of supportive, wet, stable snow over 20" of blower i sink all the way through and feel bottom on every turn. I get it that skiers like dry snow because its easier to ski through but on a snowboard (the superior powder tool) dense snow is way more fun and way more surfy. Dont even get me started on the benefits of wet snow in its abilty to create fun terrain features like spines and flutes and its ability to stick to terrain steeper than 50 degrees. Theres a reason film crews rarely shoot here and choose places like Tahoe, WA, BC, and AK to do the majority of their filming. Face it, scummit and the front range is great if youre from texas or a skier content to abiding by the rules dictated by our snowpack and terrain; but honestly the best riding and touring happens in the wetter climates.

ETA: I've lived in both places and ridden both places at their worst and their best and hands down the maritime region>continental region. Specifically WA. You wanna talk summer turns? How 'bout 4000vert on a volcano in July. Yeah, wet deep snow totally sucks

Don't the let the door hit you in the ass on the way out....you can go back to wherever you came from tomorrow.....nothing holding you back except maybe your butthurtz

[pbourdon]

Sure kid, wet snow rules. Flying through 20" of blower at Steamboat? Fucking epic. Trying to pole through 20" of sludge at Alpine Meadows that rides barely deeper than your calves? Lame.
Making turns in July? Yawn. Skiing and riding are winter sports. The summer is for hiking, mountain biking and doing your scouting for hunting season.



FIFY.

What are poles? And yeah, theres nothing to do in the NW in the summer except ski volcanoes

Ok, back to the weather discussion: wolfie and silvy see 26" while we get 3" up here. Woo!

[BDKeg]

I usually find the wind at a place like Breck to be more of a positive than a negative to be honest. Sure, you get those horrid days when it strips everything, but more often than not, you get those moderate winds that refill the high alpine when it hasn't snowed in days. I guess if I lived in a place that received more snow, I wouldn't put as much value on wind refills, but I love the smoove, creamy turns.

horseshoe + peak 7 bowl always soft even a week after a storm it seems, unless it gets wind fucked with 70mph+ winds. Sucks for loveland since winds always shutting 9 down.