Wolf Creek Pass and U.S. 550 are likely to close late this afternoon. Monarch Pass could also close late tonight into Tuesday.
My previous update from Saturday morning is mostly on track, with one caveat. The San Juans are once again pulling a snow miracle, with Wolf Creek reporting 16″ Sunday night into Monday morning. At this rate, I would expect them to break the four foot mark, and maybe even hit 60″ by the time Wednesday morning rolls around, with the heaviest snow (3″ per hour with 40+mph winds) falling Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Why is Wolf Creek (and Silverton, though their snow report is always a bit late) getting so much snow? Lots of Pacific Ocean moisture is moving directly into the south side of the San Juan mountains. The mountains “punch” the moist wind, and a deep layer of white gold is the fall out. A reader is on his way to Wolf Creek right now to ski Tues/Wed and report back from the deepness (if he can get there before the roads close).
Other areas will also get snow, with Crested Butte and Aspen coming in with 1-2 foot amounts by Tuesday afternoon. Resorts along I-70 might see some on-and-off snow today and tonight, but the best snow will come from about noon Tuesday through Thursday AM with hopefully up to a foot in places like Steamboat/Beaver Creek/Vail. Slightly less will fall east of Vail Pass and along the divide.
Also, the snowfall maps allow you to zoom and click for more details – enjoy! (just remember the forecast for the San Juans could now be up to 60″:-)
