wxgeek's weather-Forecast for the New Year-Update Jan 3

Update Sat Jan 3

Quite morning before next system arrives in CO. Cold front associated with upper level trough will move south into eastern CO by Noon and push rapidly south. Snow beginning to develop over the northern mountains, and will push south of I-70 this afternoon. As this is a fast moving system from the northwest, snow amounts expected to be on the light side. There may be a short preiod of upslope after the front moves through, but in the foothills that will be battling northwest flow aloft. In general, snow amounts expected to be from a dusting to 3 inches, with highest amounts north of I-70 and across the northeast plains. Northern Mountains may see 4-8 inches of snow. For local foothills, believe less than 2 inches will be the norm. Strong northwest winds will accompany snow, causing some blowing and drifting and cause tough driving conditions this afternoon and evening. Snow will exit the state between 6 pm and midnight with clearing skies by morning.

Sunday will be a blustry day, with strong northwest winds and temps at or below average, but under mostly sunny skies. The coming week will feature breezy to windy conditions Monday nto Tuesday morning, then warmer temps and less wind through Thursday. Temps expected to be above average through Thursday.

Next weather system expected to arrive Friday afternoon and provide precip chances through Saturday night. Mountains could see several inches, while areas east of the Divide could see a few inches of snow. Next Sunday expected to be mostly sunny and cool.

Eleswhere, significant winter storm taking shape across the country. Prior system across the Southwest will combine with system moving across CO today to bring very heavy rain to porttions of the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys and Great Lakes today, with snow developing over the midwest and western Great Lakes tonight into Sunday. Rain moves east across the eastern U.S. on Sunday. Some significant travel delays are expected as hliday travelers return. Some severe thunderstorms also possible across the lower MS valley and deep south and souteast today and Sunday.

_________________
"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".

"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".

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Update Jan 2
Beautiful day across the state today with temps near seasonal norms. The pack was able to get in a snow shoe off Park CR 58 this morning, absolutely gorgeous.

Fast moving system from the northwest will bring snow to most of CO on Saturday. Snow moves into the northern mountains in the morning, and spreads to the central mountains and eastern CO Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the northern mountains for 4-8 inches of snow, and for the eastern plains, north of I-70 and east of I-25 for 2-4 inches of snow. This system will feature northwest winds aloft, which will limit snowfall in the foothills, so expecteing a dusting to maybe 2 inches in the foothills, with highest amounts north of I-70. West to northwest winds of 15-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph will accompany snow Saturday, so could be some tough travel conditions, especially in the High Country and northeast plains. Roads could become slick Saturday afternoon into evening. Snow should move out of the state by midnight, with clearing skies by Sunday morning.

Sunday will be mostly sunny, but also breezy, especially at higher elevations. Temps expected to be near or slightly above seasonal norms. Next week will feature an upper ridge in the Great Basin, with northwest flow aloft over CO. This pattern will create temps above seasonal norms and some breezy to windy conditions through Tuesday, with strong winds expected Monday night. Temps warm above seasonal norms Wednesday and Thursday. Some flurries will be possible across the northern mountains on west facing slopes, but no significant accumulations expected.

Next chance for precip will be next Friday and Saturday, as upper trough moves across CO. At this time, looks mostly like a mountain snow event and accumulations look to be light, but temps will cool below seaosnal norms. By Sunday, models predicting mostly dry conditions with temps near seasonal norms for the Broncos playoff game.

Beyond that, models suggest upper ridge will remain over the Great Basin, which would keep CO mostly dry and mild.

Elsewhere, pretty good snow and ice event ongoing in west TX and OK, and will persist overnight, so tough travel across this region. By Saturday, system will move east creating severe thunderstorms in the lower Mississippi Valley and a major winter storm in the upper midwest and western Great Lakes. Lots of rain for thre Ohio Valley and East Coast late Saturday into Sunday, which may snarl air traffic for returning travelers.

_________________
"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".

"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".

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As we stare down yet another year gone by, I hope everyone ushers in the New Year with hopes for good health, happiness, and prosperity.

On the weather side, beautiful day across the state today with lots of sunshine and warmer temps as the arctic air moves east. Some unusual winter weather across portions of SoCal and Las Vegas today with snow reported down to 1000 ft, causing some travel issues. Upper level low centered near Las Vegas today will moves into northern AZ causing a good snow event for northern AZ and western NM. Models move a piece of energy from this upper low into eastern CO on Thursday, but retain the majority of energy in upper low across AZ and NM. The end result of this will be snow moving into southwest CO overnight into Thursday, with a Winter Weather Advisory issued across southwest CO for 4-8 inches of snow. Models move some light snow into the central and south central mountains during the day on Thursday, with snow remaining mostly south of I-70. Some light snow is possible in the foothills and Urban Corridor Thursday, but amounts expected to be less than 1 inch.

Friday looks to be mostly sunny with temps near seasonal norms. Models now bring a fast moving upper trough from the northwest across CO on Saturday, so latest forecast now has snow for most of CO on Saturday. heaviest amounts will be in the northern mountains where 1-4 inches will be possible. For the foothills, from 1/2 to 2 inches will be possible. Snow should move out of the area by Saturday evening. Sunday looks mostly sunny with temps near seaosnal norms.

Warmer and mostly dry conditions will prevail from Monday into next Thursday. Temps expected to rise above seasonal norms mid to late next week, with some gusty westerly winds returning to the foothills at times. Next chance for precip would be next Friday into Sunday. Too early to tell how much snow for next weekend, but the Broncos home game could be cool with snow possible. For outdoor NFL games this weekend, looks like rain for both Carolina and Pittsburgh on Saturday.

_________________
"Climatology is what you expect, Weather is what you get".

"It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong".

Bump for Jan 2 Update

Bump for Jan 3 Update