A broad upper level trough over the western states with a series of moist disturbances in the flow produced significant to heavy snow in the mountains and some lower elevation areas of western Colorado.

Heavy Snow in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 23:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 9 inches were measured across the area.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-15 06:30:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches were measured across most of the area.  Locally higher amounts included 14 inches at Hayden.  Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 20:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 feet were measured above the 8000 foot level.  Only 3 to 5 inches was measured below the 8000 foot level.  Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzard conditions.

Winter Weather in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 22:00:00 to 22-DEC-15 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were measured across the area.  Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Heavy Snow in FOUR CORNERS / UPPER DOLORES RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-15 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 12 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 14 inches about 12 miles south-southwest of Dove Creek. Wind gusts of 15 to 35 mph produced areas blowing and drifting snow.  Multiple vehicle accidents, including a 19-vehicle pile-up on U.S. Highway 491 south of Pleasant View on the 23rd, shut down the highway from Dove Creek to the intersection with County Road Z for about 17 hours.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 24 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 35 inches at the Ripple Creek SNOTEL site.  Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 16:30:00 to 23-DEC-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 18 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 23 inches on the east side of the town of Steamboat Springs.  Wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced localized blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 30 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 37 inches at Trout Lake.  Wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.  Locally stronger winds to 60 mph were measured at ridgetops.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 16:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 36 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts on Highway 550 included 44 inches at Coal Bank Pass and 42 inches at Molas Pass.  Wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.  Locally stronger winds to 67 mph were measured at ridgetops.

Heavy Snow in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-15 04:30:00 to 22-DEC-15 22:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 16 inches were measured across the area.

Heavy Snow in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-15 00:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 17 inches about 5 miles west-southwest of Durango and 14 inches about 5 miles southeast of Hesperus.  Wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph produced localized blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 19:00:00 to 22-DEC-15 21:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 7 to 22 inches were measured across the area.  A section of highway 65 was closed for a period of time due to avalanche danger and mitigation.  Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 22-DEC-15 05:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 13 inches at Vail Ski Area and 12 inches at Aspen Highlands Ski Area.  Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph produced areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 19:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 30 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 38 inches at Gothic.  Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph produced blowing and drifting snow in some higher exposed areas.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 21-DEC-15 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 24 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 43 inches at the Tower SNOTEL site.  Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph produced widespread blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzard conditions.