3/30/23 Thursday 8 am
There are a couple of Winter Weather Advisories in place. Plus a “bonus” Wind Advisory in the lower and mid-elevations. I think the Winter Weather Advisories are a bit overdone. This is one of the first storms this season that I thought was being over-forecasted by the NWS. Precipitation should move into the higher elevations from west to east around noon. Then slowly sag south this afternoon.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 331 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 COZ018-019-302115- /O.CON.KGJT.WW.Y.0026.230330T1500Z-230331T1800Z/ Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains- Including the cities of Telluride, Silverton, and Rico 331 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO NOON MDT FRIDAY ABOVE 9000 FEET... * WHAT...Snow expected above 9000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Northwest San Juan Mountains and Southwest San Juan Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 AM this morning to noon MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause tree damage. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Pueblo CO 409 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 COZ060-066-068-301815- /O.CON.KPUB.WW.Y.0019.230330T1800Z-230331T1800Z/ Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet- La Garita Mountains Above 10000 Feet- Eastern San Juan Mountains Above 10000 Feet- 409 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO NOON MDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. 8 to 12 inches expected in the San Juans. 4 to 8 inches expected n the central mtns. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Sawatch Mountains above 11000 feet and the La Garita Mountains and Eastern San Juan Mountains above 10000 feet. * WHEN...From noon today to noon MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
The Wind Advisory parameters also apply to the higher elevations but they’ve covered that in the Winter Weather Advisory.
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 332 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 COZ007-008-011-020>023-310000- /O.CON.KGJT.WI.Y.0006.230330T1500Z-230331T0000Z/ Debeque to Silt Corridor-Central Colorado River Basin- Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin- Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River- Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin- San Juan River Basin- Including the cities of De Beque, New Castle, Mesa, Parachute, Rifle, Silt, Eagle, Edwards, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Montrose, Hotchkiss, Delta, Gateway, Nucla, Cortez, Dove Creek, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio, and Pagosa Springs 332 AM MDT Thu Mar 30 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Debeque to Silt Corridor, Central Colorado River Basin, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, Animas River Basin and San Juan River Basin. * WHEN...From 9 AM this morning to 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down.
As far as the snow goes, I see Wolf Creek in more of a 6 to 10-inch range. With 4 to 8 inches for Purgatory and Telluride. Telluride will see more snow as the storm is departing the area. Silverton will end up in the 3 to 6-inch range. 2 to 4 inches will be common between 7,800 and 8,300 feet. Between 7,300 and 7,800 I expect 1 to 3 inches. Up to an inch will be possible below 7,300 feet.
This storm looks to me like it will be eager to depart our area and cause some mayhem in the northern plains. Don’t worry, another storm will be on the way to start next week!
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