Snows stop for a few days when this storm cycle ends early Thursday
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
We currently have heavy snow in Steamboat Springs as the last storm of this storm cycle passes over the area today and tonight. Intermittent moderate to heavy snows are expected today and tonight with breaks between the showers. Though the amount of water in the snow is forecast to diminish overnight, temperatures will drop and decrease the density of the snowfall, leaving 5-10” on the hill by tomorrow morning, with less in the valleys.
Snow will hold on longest tomorrow on Mount Werner before the sun makes an appearance. Temperatures will be quite cold overnight Thursday and into Friday morning under clear skies as temperature inversions reform in the wake of all the new snow and colder airmass.
A transient ridge moves over the area by Friday, noticeably warming temperatures at the higher elevations while the valleys stay cool after a cold morning start. Temperatures should stay warm on the hill for Saturday as the valleys warm further.
Another complex Pacific storm is forecast to cross the West Coast early in the weekend and will affect our weather by Saturday night or Sunday morning, creating moderate to sometimes heavy snows for Sunday. This storm is forecast to drag down some more cold air from the Canadian Plains, keeping lighter intensity but lower density snow around for Monday.
Tuesday is currently looking to be precipitation-free before a weak grazing wave in northwest flow may produce some snow for Wednesday. Models indicate a break before a major storm may impact the last weekend of January.
