3:20 p.m.
Hello all, you are likely seeing social media and other stories of a
weekend snowstorm with huge numbers that I will not repeat.
Yes, there is the potential for a significant snowfall this beginning this
weekend in the mountains and for this weekend across the plains &
foothills. However there is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Some
of the bigger forecast amounts you are seeing are from experimental models
or one big outlier from an off-hour model run, and while they are fun to
look at they should not be used in your decision making.
Here is how we are forecasting things to play out: Starting tomorrow night
the mountains will be in nearly non-stop snow with moist westerly uplsope
flow. The western slopes of Colorado & west facing higher terrain will be
in the primary recipient of snow. A bit of a lull during the day Thursday,
then snow into the foothills and possibly rain/snow mix on the northern
plains late this week. For our plains & adjacent foothills the real event
is for this weekend and this is where you are seeing the hype. Forecast
guidance right now makes this look like a good snow producer with a long
period of upslope flow, good moisture available from the Gulf of Mexico,
and cold enough temperatures. However storm tracks & timing can change.
Bottom line, there is a potential for heavy snow this weekend. Watch the
forecast, and we will most likely be having conference calls and sending
our "Situation Reports" this week. Make your early preparations based on
the potential, and stay tuned for forecast snowfall amounts as we get
closer to the weekend. For a more detailed discussion read NWS Boulder's
forecast discussion here
<https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=BOU&issuedby=BOU&pr...
.
Feel free to reach out to me our call our operations line to talk to a
forecaster.
Greg
Greg Hanson gregory.hanson(a)noaa.gov
Warning Coordination Meteorologist (303) 494-3210 x 726 (o)
NOAA/NWS Denver/Boulder CO <https://www.weather.gov/bou> (802)
578-3571 (m)