A Pacific trough in a fast moving westerly flow produced significant snowfall in the western Colorado mountains and some lower elevation areas of northwest Colorado.  Strong winds accompanied the trough and produced blizzard conditions in the mountains of northwest Colorado.

Blizzard in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 12-NOV-11 16:30:00 to 13-NOV-11 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread strong winds combined with heavy snowfall produced blizzard conditions across the area, which happened to be during the big game hunting season.  Snowfall amounts ranged from 12 to 25 inches, while wind gusts to 68 mph produced snowdrifts up to 4 feet deep.  This event resulted in a number of vehicle accidents.  Additionally, the Routt County Search and Rescue team was called out for multiple searches in the mountains of Routt County due to people getting lost in the blizzard.

Blizzard in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 12-NOV-11 16:00:00 to 13-NOV-11 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Widespread strong winds combined with heavy snowfall produced blizzard conditions across the area, which happened to be during the big game hunting season. Snowfall amounts ranged from 8 to 18 inches, while wind gusts to 59 mph produced snowdrifts up to 4 feet deep. A search and rescue team was called out for a number searches in the Flat Top Mountains due to people getting lost in the blizzard.

Winter Weather in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 12-NOV-11 19:00:00 to 13-NOV-11 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall ranged from 3 to 8 inches across the area.  Wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-NOV-11 19:30:00 to 13-NOV-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches, except for heavier amounts in the northern part of the zone where up to 10 inches was measured.  Wind gusts 20 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.  Locally stronger gusts to 54 mph were measured at the Great Divide RAWS site.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 12-NOV-11 19:30:00 to 13-NOV-11 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 12 inches.  Locally higher amounts included 13 inches at Clark.

Winter Weather in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 13-NOV-11 10:00:00 to 14-NOV-11 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from 5 to 12 inches.  Locally higher amounts included 17 inches at Schofield Pass.  Wind gusts of 25 to 50 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 13-NOV-11 05:00:00 to 13-NOV-11 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 11 inches above the 9000 foot level. Wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 13-NOV-11 09:00:00 to 14-NOV-11 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 7 inches. Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced some areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 13-NOV-11 09:00:00 to 13-NOV-11 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 7 inches. Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced some areas of blowing and drifting snow.