Breckenridge moisture now above average for the year

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Late season storms target north-central Colorado mountains

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Snow cover on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Area reached a peak after the resort closed for the season. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — A surge of April moisture brought the year-to-date snowfall total in Breckenridge right up to average, according to National Weather Service observer Rick Bly, who said that last month ended up being the fifth-wettest April on record, dating back to the late 1800s.

Bly tallied 49.5 inches of snow, compared to the average 24.7 inches. The snow that fell in April was equivalent to 4.14 inches of water, nearly double the average of 2.1 inches. For the water year to-date, Bly has measured 12.3 inches of snow-water equivalent, nearly an inch above average. (more…)

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Summit snow well below average in January

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Drought continues in the Colorado River Basin

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Strings of goose eggs on the weather scorecard for Dillon.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — January 2012 will go down as one of the driest Januaries on record at the official National Weather Service site in town, where long-time observer Rick Bly measured just 6.55 inches of snow for the month.

Bly said that total was one of the five lowest January readings in the books. Going back more than 100 years, the average January snowfall in town is nearly two feet. The little bit of snow that did fall during the month was also excruciatingly dry. Bly said the snow-water equivalent was just 0.11 inches, compared to the historic average of 1.53 inches.

That means precipitation for the water year to-date (starting Oct. 1) is just 60 percent of average. Snowfall for the year to-date is also lagging well behind last year, at 43.85 inches. Normal for this time of year is 78 inches. Last winter, Bly had tallied 62 inches by this time of year. (more…)

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Colorado: Chilly January, but few records broken

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Several Colorado weather stations reported record-low daytime high temps in January.

Salt Lake City suffers through weeks of air quality problems

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — When the weather history of January is written, it might be all about the persistent cold air pools that lingered in many western valleys, setting the stage for record-low temperatures, something that’s been quite uncommon in recent years.

In Summit County, only one temperature record was broken during the month, a record minimum high of 7 degrees on Jan. 16 at the Dillon weather station. The previous record-old high temperature for the day was 9 degrees, set not all that long ago, in 2007.

No record highs were set in Summit County, but nearby, Climax broke its all-time record high for January 27, hitting 44 degrees. The previous record of 42 degrees was set back in 1927. A few spots nearby, notably Williams Fork Dam, set both daily record high and low readings. (more…)

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Colorado: Incoming storm may blast high country

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Significant snow expected Friday into Saturday

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A developing storm in the Gulf of Alaska should bring some snow to Colorado by Friday.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO —After a mercifully short January thaw, forecasters say winter conditions could return to western Colorado by the end of the week, with significant snow possible Friday into Saturday, and the chance of on and off snow into the early part of next week.

The Grand Junction National Weather Service office has already hoisted a winter storm watch for the mountains of northeastern Utah, and forecasters will likely expand notices of advancing winter weather to western Colorado in the next few days.

A trough of low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to drop into the Great Basin by Thursday, then move across the Colorado high country during the day Friday, with all ingredients in place for at least a period of moderate to heavy snowfall. Early forecasts are hinting at the possibility of 5 to 10 inches of snow for the Summit County area, with more possible in some favored areas. (more…)

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Colorado: The storm door is open

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

“You may want to call in sick and ride blue-bird powder for a few days prior to the apocalypse … “        ~Colorado Avalanche Information Center

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A potent weather system is developing for the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

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Winter storm warnings, watches and advisories prevail across western Colorado and eastern Utah. Click on the map for more details from the NWS.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Dreams of a white Christmas will come true for residents of the Colorado high country, as a series of winter storms will potentially drop up to several feet of snow across most of the state’s mountains in the days leading up to Santa’s arrival.

Most of the mountain areas are under winter storm warnings, watches and advisories for the early part of the week, as the wintry weather is expected to culminate with a strong system moving through the area Tuesday night that could deliver some “eye-popping” snowfall rates, according to the National Weather Service, which may soon be issuing blizzard warnings in some mountain zones.

The snow will also drastically increase the backcountry avalanche danger, where special warnings may be issues. Check in with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for the latest. Already, large avalanches have been reported from a few locations, including Uneva Bowl, a popular powder skiing destination near Vail Pass. (more…)

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Colorado: Storm delivers needed snowfall

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Bob Berwyn
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Fresh snow in the Colorado high country.

Monday could see additional accumulations in the high country

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — A chilly storm out of the north brought widespread snow to the Colorado high country Saturday afternoon and evening, with most areas reporting between 5 and 8 inches of accumulation. The snow will wind down Sunday with only a few flurries lingering over the higher peaks as temperatures drop to the lowest readings of the season.

Copper, Keystone, A-Basin and Breckenridge all reported about half a foot of snow in the 24 hours ending Sunday morning, with 9 inches at Eldora, 15 inches at Aspen Mountain and 14 inches at Snowmass. Get the full snow report at the CSCUSA website. (more…)

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Weekend weather: Break out the bikes again!

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

The Climate Prediction Center shows Colorado near the center of an area expected to see above-average temps the next three months.

Fine conditions expected the next few days

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Break out the bikes one more time, because the weekend looks warm and sunny, and perhaps a bit breezy, as high pressure keeps temperatures well above normal into early next week.

The next chance for snow looks to arrive next Wednesday, as forecasters with the National Weather Service are advertising a large scale pattern shift that would bring a broad trough of low pressure inland from the Pacific, with the best chance for precipitation on Wednesday night into Thursday, as moisture and storm energy combine over Colorado.

Until then, look for highs in the mid-to-upper 50s, which is anywhere from 8 to 10 degrees above the average for this time of year. According to WeatherUnderground, the average mid-October high for Frisco is about 48 degrees. (more…)

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Weather: White weekend?

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A NOAA satellite image nicely shows the developing storm off the coast of California.

Forecasts coming together for some Friday night snow in the Colorado mountains

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — A Pacific storm moving inland late in the week could give parts of the Colorado high country a taste of winter, with widespread precipitation expected Friday night and Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Snow levels could drop to near 8,000 feet, giving the valley floors their first dusting of the season. (more…)

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Colorado: Weather action stays east of the Divide

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Western Colorado expecting coolish, quiet conditions on the weekend

Active weather developing in the Pacific could lead to some snow late next week.

Seasonal weather across the West Slope, with an early taste of winter east of the Divide.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Most of the weather action will be east of the Continental Divide the next few days, with a serious push of cold Arctic air dominating the Front Range and plains, but we’ll get a little taste of winter Saturday especially, when temperatures will be hard-pressed to climb above 40 degrees.

Friday saw temps along the Front Range much chiller than in western Colorado, where Delta, Cortez and Grand Junction all climbed into the mid-70s.

The forecast high of 38 degrees would be 16 degrees below the average high (for Frisco) of 54 degrees for this date, and forecast lows in the high teens are flirting with record levels. The coldest temperature on record for Oct. 6 is 19 degrees, set in 1986. The record high is 69 degrees, set in 1997. (more…)

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‘Extreme’ drought expanding in Colorado

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Snowpack is gone, streamflows forecast to be well below average

Some level of drought conditions encompass all of Colorado in this Ma9 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY —Extreme drought conditions are expanding in northwest Colorado, covering most of Garfield, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties as well as portions of Moffat, Pitkin, and Mesa counties — encompassing about 10 percent of the state in a region with critical watersheds for downstream water users.

Eagle and Summit and Grand counties are designated as being in a severe drought, with streamflows forecast to be well below normal across the region.

The latest update from the U.S. Drought monitor shows all of Colorado now experiencing some level of drought, with Eagle County, for example, experiencing pre-drought, moderate drought and severe drought conditions, depending on the exact location. (more…)

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