A strong and moist Pacific storm system moved into the Rocky Mountain Region spreading heavy snowfall across the western Colorado and eastern Utah mountains, as well as many of the higher valleys of northern Colorado and Utah. Warm air associated with this system brought a mix of rain and snow to most of the central and southern valleys, with primarily rain falling over southeast Utah.

Winter Weather in FOUR CORNERS / UPPER DOLORES RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of around 3 to 4 inches occurred across about half of the area, including Mancos, Dolores, and Dove Creek, while the rest of the area received 2 inches or less. Wind gusts up to 40 mph produced extensive blowing and drifting snow. Heavy wet snow weighing down on trees, along with windy conditions caused an 8 hour power outage in and around the town of Dolores, as well as another power outage in the east side of Cortez. Over 1000 customers were affected by the outages. A possible lightning strike is also suspected to be a contributing cause of the outage in Dolores.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 11-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 9 to 20 inches. Winds gusted up to 60 mph with localized gusts up to 80 mph were reported at the top of Telluride Ski Area as well as Mount Abrahms. These strong winds produced significant blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzard conditions. Travel became very hazardous, if not impossible, which prompted the closure of Highway 550 between Ouray and Red Mountain Pass.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 00:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

About a foot of snow fell above the 8,000 foot level with lesser amounts below. Wind gusts up to 50 mph produced significant blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzard conditions.

Winter Weather in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches occurred across about half of the area. Wind gusts up to 45 mph produced extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 4 to 9 inches occurred across the area, while winds gusted up to 40 mph and generated extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 10:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 4 to 10 inches occurred across the area, while winds gusted up to 40 mph and generated extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snowfall of 10 to 25 inches occurred across the area, while wind gusts up to 65 mph generated significant blowing snow and localized blizzard conditions.

Winter Weather in LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 3 to 5 inches. Locally higher amounts were reported, including 7 inches in Rangely. Wind gusts up to 40 mph produced extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches occurred across most of the area. Wind gusts up to 30 mph produced some areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snowfall of 12 to 28 inches occurred across the area. Locally higher snowfall amounts were reported, including 31 inches at Crested Butte Ski Area and 33 inches in Gothic. Winds gusted up to 45 mph producing areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 11-DEC-09 23:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 12 to 24 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 33 inches reported on Coal Bank and Molas passes. Strong winds gusted up to 60 mph, with local gusts of up to 76 mph at Mount Putney and Kendall Mountain. These strong winds produced extensive blowing and drifting snow and localized blizzard conditions. Travel over the major mountain passes was restricted with the closure of Highway 550.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 2 to 6 inches occurred across the area. Wind gusts up to 50 mph caused extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 10 inches occurred across the area with locally higher amounts, including 15 inches about 1 mile northwest of the town of Clark. Wind gusts up to 30 mph also produced blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 7 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 15 inches reported at Sunlight Ski Area. Wind gusts up to 65 mph produced blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzard conditions.

Winter Weather in DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of around 3 inches occurred across half of the area. Wind gusts up to 35 mph caused areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 11 to 20 inches with wind gusts up to 50 mph producing blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 13-DEC-09 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts across the area were around 12 inches. Wind gusts up to 45 mph generated extensive blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 12-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 14-DEC-09 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts across the area ranged from 10 to 20 inches. Locally higher amounts were reported along the south side of the Flat Tops mountains, including 27 inches at the Bison Lake SNOTEL site. Winds gusted up to 45 mph producing areas of blowing and drifting snow.