A strong low pressure system dropped out of British Columbia and into the Central Rockies producing heavy snow over many western Colorado mountain locations, as well as significant snowfall in some of the lower valleys of western Colorado. The heaviest accumulations favored the Uncompahgre Gorge on the northern side of the San Juan mountains, where nearly 30 inches of snow fell.

Winter Storm in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 03:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snowfall produced accumulations ranging from 8 to 13 inches. Wind gusts to 30 mph produced areas of blowing snow.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 02:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snowfall produced accumulations ranging from 12 to 16 inches across western portions of the area. Eastern portions of the area received accumulations ranging from 4 to 10 inches. Wind gusts to 40 mph produced areas of blowing snow.

Winter Weather in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 00:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 6 inches occurred above the 7,000 foot level. Wind gusts ranging from 25 to 50 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 00:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations ranged from 6 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 13 inches reported at the Skyway SNOTEL site. Wind gusts to 30 mph produced areas of blowing snow.

Winter Weather in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 04:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts reported, including 10 inches at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Wind gusts to 30 mph generated areas of blowing snow.

Winter Weather in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 18-MAR-10 12:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations ranged from 5 to 12 inches across the area. Wind gusts up to 45 mph, with localized gusts up to 79 mph at Steamboat Ski Area, produced significant blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 04:00:00 to 20-MAR-10 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 12 inches occurred across most of the area. Wind gusts to 35 mph produced some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 04:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches in the Montrose area, with locally higher amounts of up to 7 inches. Wind gusts to 35 mph produced areas of blowing snow.

Winter Weather in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 18-MAR-10 14:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 11 inches.  Wind gusts to 25 mph produced areas of drifting snow.

Winter Weather in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 01:00:00 to 19-MAR-10 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 9 inches occurred above the 7,000 foot level. Wind gusts to 30 mph produced some areas of blowing snow.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 19-MAR-10 04:00:00 to 20-MAR-10 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Northerly flow on the backside of the low pressure system produced heavy snowfall, especially in the Uncompahgre Gorge area where accumulations of up to 30 inches were reported in the town of Ouray. Snowfall amounts elsewhere in the zone ranged from 8 to 18 inches. Wind gusts up to 35 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow. The adverse weather conditions, along with several natural avalanches, prompted the closure of Red Mountain Pass along Highway 550. Travel restrictions were also put into effect along Highway 145.