Weather
A powerful northwest flow pattern is set to slam into Colorado, delivering a multi-day powder event focused on the northern and central mountains. The action kicks off with a tease Thursday night, but the main engine roars to life Friday night through Sunday, bringing heavy snowfall, intense winds, and excellent snow quality to resorts like Steamboat, Winter Park, and the I-70 corridor. While the southern mountains will see lighter accumulations, the northern tier is looking at feet of fresh snow by Monday morning before a warming trend stabilizes conditions early next week.
The storm door is swinging wide open mainly for the northern and central mountains as a persistent northwest flow pattern establishes itself. Light snow begins to develop Thursday night, primarily favoring the Park and Gore ranges, acting as an appetizer for the main course. By Friday, orographic lift intensifies, bringing steady light-to-moderate accumulation to resorts like Steamboat and Winter Park, while the rest of the central mountains see scattered flurries. Temperatures will remain cold in the teens and 20s, ensuring that snow levels stay well below base areas (generally 3,000–5,000 feet). While Friday offers a refresh, the winds will start ramping up, signaling the arrival of the more potent energy upstream.
The heaviest snowfall rates arrive Friday night into Saturday as a powerful jet streak aligns with deep moisture, creating prime conditions for a significant powder event. This period will feature “free refills” for the northern tier, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 1 inch per hour at times. The snow quality looks fantastic, with Snow-to-Liquid Ratios (SLRs) hovering in the 14–18:1 range, delivering that classic, low-density “Blower Pow.” However, this comes with a price: strong winds. Expect gusts exceeding 40-50 mph along exposed ridgelines (particularly at high-alpine destinations like Loveland and Arapahoe Basin) which may impact lift operations. By Sunday morning, the intensity throttles back to orographic showers, offering excellent leftovers and softer turns.
A secondary pulse of moisture keeps the snow machine running lightly through Sunday night and Monday, particularly for favored northwest-facing slopes. This final wave adds a creamy layer on top of the weekend’s bounty before the pattern shifts. Looking ahead into the extended forecast, high pressure begins to build early next week, bringing a warming trend and sunny skies Tuesday through Thursday. While the 6-10 day outlook suggests temperatures climbing above average, hints of another trough approaching toward the end of next week could bring precipitation back to the region. For now, the window from Friday through Monday is the clear target for deep, high-quality turns.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Steamboat – 20″–30″ total (18″–26″ Thu night (12/04) – Sun night (12/07) + 2″–4″ Sun night (12/07) – Mon night (12/08))
- Vail – 11″–16″ total (10″–14″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07) + 1″–2″ Sun night (12/07) – Mon night (12/08))
- Beaver Creek – 9″–14″ total (9″–13″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07) + 1″–1″ Sun night (12/07) – Mon night (12/08))
- Copper Mountain – 9″–14″ total (9″–13″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07) + 1″–1″ Sun night (12/07) – Mon night (12/08))
- Loveland – 8″–12″ Fri (12/05) – Sun night (12/07)
- Breckenridge – 7″–11″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07)
- Arapahoe Basin – 7″–11″ Fri (12/05) – Sun night (12/07)
- Snowmass – 7″–10″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07)
- Winter Park – 7″–10″ Fri (12/05) – Sun night (12/07)
- Crested Butte – 7″–10″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07)
- Monarch – 4″–6″ Fri night (12/05) – Sun (12/07)
- Telluride – 4″–6″ Fri (12/05) – Sun (12/07)
