Crested Butte Mountain Resort (Base: 9,375', Top: 12,162')
6-day Forecast Discussion Updated for Monday, March 22, 2010Our reputation for customized, skier/boarder friendly forecasts is growing but we still need to get the word out to keep us going for next season. Please contact your favorite resort and put in a good word for us!
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AVERAGE TEMPERATURES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR;
-At about 8,000 feet (Aspen): Low 23, High 49 (Highest ~ 67 in 2004, Lowest ~ 01 in 1985)
-At about 10,000 feet (Near base elevation for Keystone, Breckenridge, Winter Park); Low 14, High 42 (Highest ~ 58 in 2004, Lowest ~ (-)07 in 1983)
-At 12,500 feet (Near the top elevation of many resorts in Colorado); Low 03 , High 28
:::Overall, this week looks busy with a mid week storm and a weekend storm:::
SUMMARY FOR THE NEXT 6 DAYS -//> UPDATED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 21st at 9:27pm...(Sunday evening)...Monday -> TRANSITION DAY, INCREASED WINDS; Monday is a transition day, with increasing ridge top winds and some middle and high clouds moving in due to an approaching low pressure system out of the Northwest US. Partly cloudy skies are expected, becoming mostly cloudy later in the day, with increased west winds across the ridges.
Tuesday and Wednesday -> THE NEXT STORM MOVES IN/ MODERATE STORM TOTALS; A weakened storm moves in from the west/ northwest, with moderate snowfall and cold air moving in. The snowfall begins during the day Tuesday, more likely by afternoon, and continues through Wednesday night. The system approaches, and starts carving southward as it does, right across western Colorado. As this happens Tuesday night, the I-70 resorts are favored for snow due to a northerly cross mountain wind flow for good orographics. Most of the upper level energy with this storm cuts across areas west of the divide, and southwest Colorado gets hit pretty good also.
Thursday -> PARTLY CLOUDY, ANOTHER STORM IN THE PIPELINE; Another storm moves into the Pacific Northwest while Colorado/ New Mexico sit under high pressure ridging aloft. Mild temperatures are expected during a mostly sunny spring-like afternoon (morning looks cold however).
Friday and Saturday -> ANOTHER STORM, MORE MODERATE SNOW; Clouds and wind increase on Friday with the next storm to approach the central and southern Rockies. We start off with plenty of sunshine in the morning, then skies cloud up after noon, with developing snow showers. Snow continues then and through Saturday evening as this low pressure system moves through. The low may intensify as it cross the divide, causing a stronger and moist northwest flow across resort areas Friday night. For now, we will assume that this will not occur, as a lot can change between now and then. That being said, it looks like we should see another decent shot of snow.
Sunday -> CLEARING OUT TO A PARTLY CLOUDY DAY; Low pressure moves out, and partly cloudy/ mostly sunny skies are possible after some (possible) fresh snow the previous 2 days. Milder temperatures are expected.
Please submit any ideas or comments to chris@snowforecast.com. We appreciate your use of the site! CM
Monday Mar 22, 2010
Hi 47°f / 8°c (base)
Lo 21°f / -6°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Partly cloudy and a bit milder, with increased west winds mainly across the upper ridges. Skies become mostly cloudy (middle and high clouds) by later afternoon. Isolated snow showers are possible after midnight.
Precipitation:
20% chance for snow after midnight.
Snow Potential
A trace.
Wind:
Becoming SW at 5 to 15mph. Winds above timberline; SW at 15 to 25 gusts to 40mph
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Tuesday Mar 23, 2010
Hi 38°f / 3°c (base)
Lo 20°f / -7°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Cloudy with light snow showers likely in the morning, then snow showers definite by afternoon through overnight.
Precipitation:
Snow likely, then definite by afternoon.
Snow Potential
6 to 10 inches of snowfall.
Wind:
S/ SW at 5 to 15mph, becoming NW/ NE at 5 to 15mph late. Winds above timberline; SW at 10 to 20 gusts to 30mph.
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Wednesday Mar 24, 2010
Hi 38°f / 3°c (base)
Lo 21°f / -6°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Cloudy and colder with snow showers continuing. Snow continues overnight.
Precipitation:
Snow likely.
Snow Potential
1 to 2 inches of additional snowfall.
Wind:
NE/ SE at 5 to 15mph. Winds above timberline; Increasing to NW at 10 to 20mph.
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Thursday Mar 25, 2010
Hi 46°f / 8°c (base)
Lo 24°f / -4°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Partly cloudy/ mostly clear and mild with mostly light winds across much of the mountain.
Precipitation:
None expected.
Snow Potential
None expected.
Wind:
Variable at 4 to 12mph. Winds above timberline; Decreasing to W at 10 to 20mph.
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Friday Mar 26, 2010
Hi 48°f / 9°c (base)
Lo 24°f / -4°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Becoming clouds and colder with developing snow showers. Snow continues overnight. Windy conditions are possible.
Precipitation:
50% chance for snow.
Snow Potential
2 to 4 inches of snowfall.
Wind:
Increasing to SW at 5 to 15 gusts to 20mph. Winds above timberline; Increasing to SW at 20 to 30 gusts to 45mph.
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Saturday Mar 27, 2010
Hi 44°f / 7°c (base)
Lo 20°f / -7°c (base)
Sky Condition:
Cloudy and colder with continuing mostly light snow showers.
Precipitation:
40% chance for snow.
Snow Potential
1 inch of additional snowfall.
Wind:
NW at 5 to 15mph. Winds above timberline; NW at 10 to 20 gusts to 30mph.
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Long range forecast / discussion...March 28 to 31--It looks like winter made sure to leave good snow storms for spring. After a Monday - Wednesday (29th - 31st) break (partly cloudy/ mostly sunny, milder), we may see a strong late week storm, and another snow storm that weekend, for frequent snowfall during the first several days of April. Pacific storms (with snow) should move through with good frequency right into mid April, to finish off the season on an improved note we believe (improved weekly snow amounts compared to weekly mid winter totals).
FROM OCTOBER; This winter we expect heavier than average snowfall for southwest Colorado, from Telluride to Wolf Creek, up to Crested Butte. For Aspen, we expect slightly above average snowfall, and from Breckenridge to Winter Park we expect near to below average snowfall. Temperatures are expected to be colder than average overall, with wide variations and some extreme cold periods. CM
