A moist Pacific closed low pressure system produced significant to heavy snowfall in most mountain areas and in some higher elevation valleys of western Colorado.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 13:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 10 to 30 inches of new snow fell across with area. Locally higher amounts included 35 inches at the Sharkstooth and Columbus Basin SNOTEL sites. Avalanche control work due to the unstable snowpack from the heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of Highway 550 over Red Mountain Pass from the 16th until the 18th.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 7 to 17 inches were measured across the area. Locally higher amounts of 2 feet or more included a residence near Sawpit and the Lone Cone SNOTEL site which received 24 and 27 inches, respectively. Avalanche control work due to the unstable snowpack from the heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of Highway 550 over Red Mountain Pass from the 16th until the 18th.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow fell at Columbine Pass with 37 inches of snow measured. Other locations that received heavy snow included Colona with 10 inches.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 12 to 30 inches of new snow fell across the zone with locally higher amounts of 34 and 36 inches at the Ripple Creek and Bison Lake SNOTEL sites, respectively.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 24 inches were measured across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 49 inches at the Schofield Pass SNOTEL site.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 17:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 7 to 20 inches were measured across the area, with the 20 inch amounts having occurred near Cedaredge and at Skyway, respectively. Locally higher amounts included 40 inches and 49 inches at the Mesa Lakes and Park Reservoir SNOTEL sites, respectively.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 15-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts of 7 to 24 inches were measured across the area with locally higher amounts that included 26 inches at the Elk River SNOTEL site.

Winter Storm in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 02:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 19 inches of snow were measured across the area.

Winter Storm in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Up to 14 inches of new snow was measured on Highway 139 over Douglas Pass.

Winter Weather in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches were measured across the area. Slick and snowpacked roads resulted in numerous vehicle accidents on Highways 550 and 160.

Winter Weather in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 05:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches were measured across the area, including Pagosa Springs.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 16:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Snowfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches were measured across the area.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 6 inches were measured across the area. A locally higher amount of 8.5 inches was measured near Clark.