Summit County Citizens Voice

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Forecasters calling for 6-12 inches by Thursday night, a warmup for the weekend and another storm early next week

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In what is starting to sound like a broken record, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the mountains of Colorado — including Summit County — beginning Wednesday evening and lasting into Thursday.

About 6 to 12 inches of snow are possible, especially over the east-facing slopes, as a spring-like storm pushes eastward from the Great Basin. The mountains of Larimer County could see more than a foot of snow by Thursday night. Showers will be on the increase Wednesday, with more widespread snow Wednesday night into Thursday as snow levels lower to 8,000 feet overnight.

The first phase of the storm will favor the southern mountains and south-facing slopes, but by Thursday night, the flow will change to northwest, bringing wrap-around moisture and winter-like conditions, with a good chance for a powder day at A-Basin Friday, along with continuing showers fueled by a cool, wet atmosphere. A lesser chance of showers persists Saturday, with driers and warmer conditions Sunday under a southwest flow. Another storm is possible late Monday into Tuesday.

Temperatures will be well below normal for this time of year, with a high of 41 degrees Wednesday, 38 degrees Thursday and 40 degrees Friday and lows each night in the mid-20s. The weekend warmup will send highs back into the upper 40s and low 50s, still slightly below average.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center continues to warn of potential hazards for backcountry travelers. During the warmer interludes, collapsing cornices and free water in the snowpack could lead to large and dangerous wet snow avalanches, while this week’s return to winter-like will once again create a chance of slides in the new snow layers.

At the higher elevations, the snowpack hasn’t transitioned to spring, and there weak layers sitting under six to eight feet of snow, according to CAIC forecaster Scott Toepfer.

For the latex info, check the CAIC website .

Filed under: avalanches, climate and weather, Colorado, La Niña, snow, Snow and weather, Summit County snow and weather, Weatherblog Tagged: | Colorado weather, May snow Colorado, Summit County News, Summit County snow, summit county weather, Winter weather advisory