A strong low pressure system preceded by a deep and moist southwest flow brought a prolonged period of winter weather and widespread heavy snow to western Colorado.

Winter Storm in GRAND VALLEY, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 10:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 9 inches blanketed the western portion of the area, including downtown Grand Junction. Traffic was severely hampered and numerous vehicle accidents occurred due to the slippery roads. Interstate 70 was closed for a period of time from 24 Road to Horizon Drive.

Winter Weather in PARADOX VALLEY / LOWER DOLORES RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread snowfall of 3 to 5 inches occurred with locally higher amounts up to 8 inches in the Paradox area.  Wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall of 10 to 18 inches occurred while wind gusts of 25 to 45 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall of 1 to 2 feet occurred while wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 1 to 2 feet occurred while wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 22-DEC-08 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 3 to 6 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 8 inches occurred while wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 03:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 12 inches occurred.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 03:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread snowfall of 2 to 4 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 12 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 1 to 2 feet occurred while wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.  Snowfall amounts in the Pagosa Springs area were around 2 feet.

Winter Weather in FOUR CORNERS / UPPER DOLORES RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 06:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 2 to 5 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 09:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 12 to 26 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.  Travel along Interstate 70 was severely impacted and Vail Pass was closed for a period of time.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-08 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 1 to 2 feet occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 45 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-08 22:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 12 to 17 inches occurred above the 7500 foot level while 5 to 12 inches of new snow fell at lower elevations.  Wind gusts of 25 to 45 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 00:00:00 to 22-DEC-08 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 10 to 26 inches occurred while wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall of 10 to 14 inches occurred while frequent wind gusts of 30 to 55 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.  A peak wind gust of 65 mph was recorded on Mount Abrahms.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall of 10 to 25 inches occurred while frequent wind gusts of 30 to 60 mph produced blowing and drifting snow.  A peak wind gust of 91 mph was recorded on Eagle Mountain. Several avalanches occurred throughout the storm, some of which caused temporary road closures near Red Mountain Pass and Molas and Coalbank passes.

Winter Storm in DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 7 inches blanketed the majority of the area while wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 23-DEC-08 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread snowfall of 3 to 6 inches occurred with locally higher amounts around 8 inches in the Cedaredge and Paonia areas.  Gusty winds reaching speeds of 20 to 30 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.