According to the National Weather Service’s latest mapping, the southern region of Colorado is expected to receive the majority of the snowfall until Friday morning.
Unlike several recent storms, this incoming wintery weather will mostly bypass the northern half of the state, with southern Colorado receiving up to 24 inches on some peaks.
People in the southern region are probably grateful for the different weather conditions. The snowpack in southern and southwest Colorado currently stands at 70 percent and 69 percent, respectively, compared to the usual levels for this time of the season. Statewide, the snowpack is at 88 percent as of January 28. It’s important to note that the overall number is significantly lower due to the limited snowpack in southern Colorado. However, the South Platte River Basin in north-central Colorado has a snowpack that is 104 percent of the average for this time of year.
As the storm continues to move through the state this week, the San Juans and the Sangre de Cristos will experience the heaviest snowfall. If the ‘high-end’ scenario plays out, some peaks in these areas could receive up to 24 inches of snow by Friday. Pikes Peak is projected to receive approximately a foot of snow. While there may be some travel disruptions along the southern portion of I-25, the northern area, north of Castle Rock, is expected to only receive a few inches of snow throughout the week.
Let’s dive right in and examine two scenarios put forth by the National Weather Service. The first scenario is the ‘expected’ forecast, which is the most likely outcome. The second scenario is the ‘high-end’ forecast, which has a 10 percent chance of happening.
The most likely and anticipated scenario is:
‘High-end’ scenario:
According to OpenSnow, it is expected that most of Colorado’s major resorts won’t receive much snow this week, despite the favorable snow conditions in southern Colorado. The snowiest ski area, Silverton Mountain, is projected to receive nine inches of snow over the next five days. In contrast, Breckenridge is only expected to receive one inch of snow.
You can find more information about forecasting on the National Weather Service website.