Last weekend’s storm was pretty disappointing, with only 3-5″ falling across the most southern of southern mountains (3″ Wolf Creek, little at any other named resort). But now we have reason to celebrate, or at least reason to break out the warmest of our winter gear. A big, persistent storm that I’ll call “Vincent van Gogh” will “brush” Colorado with a douse of winter air and some very light, fluffy snow Tuesday night through Thursday night. {van Gogh has some creepy eyes}
This week’s cold (and white) forecast
By Tuesday night, the van Gogh storm – with lots of very, VERY cold air – will jump the U.S / Canadian border and head toward the Great Lakes and East Coast. As van Gogh defies the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and becomes an American citizen, he will brush Colorado with VERY cold air and some light snow from Tuesday night through Thursday.
View CPF: Snow Forecast, December 1-4, 2009 in a larger map
The big story is the cold air, with the secondary bonus of snow, focused on the foothills and plains east of the continental divide. Though van Gogh isn’t bringing much moisture, the very cold air will make it easy to quickly pile up some light fluff.
- Tuesday =Last warm(ish) day of the week. Enjoy the partly cloud skies. Between sunset and midnight, temperatures will plummet starting for northern Colorado, clouds will increase on the plains and eastern foothills, and snow should start to fall for areas along and north of I-70.
- Wednesday = The heaviest snow will accumulate east of the continental divide where the best moisture and upslope flow (air forced up a mountain) exist. The heaviest snow will come before sunrise and early in the day for central and northern areas, with the heavier snow shifting to southern Colorado through the day. The very cold temperatures (teens and 20s) will make this a very light, fluffy snow at perhaps 5% (20:1) density. This is the kind of snow that you can literally blow off of your car. Total accumulations: 6-10″ in some lucky areas, 3-6″ in most places east of the divide. Just a few inches in the mountains west of the divide.
- Thursday = REALLY cold, and still some clouds and snow showers around for most of the state except for the most western areas near Utah. Temperatures up around mountain top (10k-14k) could remain at or below 0 for most of the day. Dress warm! Winds won’t be too strong, but it doesn’t take much of a breeze to make it miserable when the temp is 0(F)!
- Friday = Mostly sunny (maybe some clouds stuck around the higher central and northern peaks) and “warmer”, with temperatures in the teens and 20s.
- Weekend = Saturday looks to be the nicer day of the two. We could eek out Sunday as well, but a storm will approach from the northwest on Sunday and should FINALLY bring some significant snow to Colorado by early next week (Mon-Wed).
Event: Eat, drink, and help the U.S. capture Everest
December 16, 2009 Fundraiser at E-town in Edwards, CO
Two of my very good friends – Brandon & Kristine – are attempting to be the youngest American married couple to summit Everest. If you’re around Vail/Beaver Creek on December 16th, stop by E-town for some food and drinks, a silent auction, and a slide show about the couple climbing some of the world’s other tallest peaks. By just having dinner, you’ll help them on their journey to Everest. More details here!
Event: When to call in sick for a powder day?
December 10, 2009 Ignite Boulder #7
Denver/Golden/Boulder folks – come to the Boulder Theater for a fun night of wacky 5-minute presentations at IgniteBoulder #7. In my 5-minute presentation, I’ll provide humorous and helpful advice on when and how to call in sick for a powder day. The other topics are also unique and awesome, and each presentation is exactly 5 minutes, so if it sucks, it’s over fast. The Boulder Theater SELLS OUT (800 people!) for this event…grab your ticket here!
Spreadin’ the Good Word
While some think I write this blog because I’m an attention-seeking only child, I’m really doing it for YOU, the fine people looking to have some fun in the Colorado snow. I’m happy to say that YOU are finding the Colorado Powder Forecast helpful and talking it up with your friends. Over the past 10 days, Backcountry Access and Fritz Sperry’s website Makingturns.com have both spread the good word about the Colorado Powder Forecast to their followers. Thanks! Check out the details on the mentions page and visit their websites. Backcountry Access not only makes some great products, but they share a ton of backcountry knowledge – FREE – through their blog. And Fritz always posts some great trip reports of new places (at least to me!) throughout Colorado.
