A strong cold front brought widespread snowfall and localized blizzard conditions to much of western Colorado. Snow initially began in southwesterly flow across the high terrain of southwestern Colorado late Sunday night, February 18th, before the front moved through on Monday, February 19th. Travel was severely impacted over the high mountain passes throughout the event.

Winter Weather in DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 15:30:00 to 20-FEB-18 02:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches across the area. Blowing snow occurred with the passage of a snow band Sunday evening which led to reduced visibilities with wind gusts of 35 to 45 MPH.

Winter Weather in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 18-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts of up to a foot at the Bison Lake SNOTEL site. Peak wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph resulted in widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Blizzard in LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard conditions with whiteout conditions, snowfall and blowing snow occurred across the area with widespread wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph. Measured snowfall totals only ranged from 2 to 6 inches as the snow was highly wind blown.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 18-FEB-18 22:30:00 to 20-FEB-18 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 5 to 11 inches across the area. Localized blizzard conditions occurred.  Peak wind gusts on mountain tops ranged from 70 to 80 mph.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 18-FEB-18 22:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the area with up 18 inches measured at the Weminuche Creek SNOTEL site. Localized blizzard conditions with peak wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph at highway level resulted in blowing snow and severe impacts to travel. A peak wind gust of 115 mph was measured on the top of Eagle Mountain. Colorado Highway 550 between mile markers 49 and 92 were closed due to hazardous conditions. This stretch of closed high included Red Mountain, Molas, and Coal Bank Passes.

Winter Weather in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 03:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches.  Locally higher amounts included 9 inches at the Whiskey Park SNOTEL site. Wind gusts of 20 to 35 MPH with the passage of the cold front resulted in areas of blowing snow and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 03:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area.  Locally higher amounts included 10 inches at Snowmass Ski Resort.  I-70 on Vail Pass was closed  Sunday night due to slick and snowpacked roads which resulted in multiple vehicle accidents.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 05:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Blizzard conditions occurred on the top of the Grand Mesa where wind gusts up to 50 MPH were measured.  Even stronger winds were likely as some trees were blown down at the top of Powderhorn Ski area.  Snow drifts of 2 to 3 feet deep were reported over Highway 65.  Snowfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 10 inches across the area. However, the snow was very wind blown and not representative of actual snowfall if the wind had not blown.

Winter Weather in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 07:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totals ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the area. Webcams indicated blowing snow, reduced visibilities, and snowpacked roads on Highway 50 over Cerro Summit and Blue Mesa Summit.

Winter Weather in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 04:00:00 to 19-FEB-18 23:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snowfall totals across the area were estimated to be around 3 inches which was highly wind effected. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 MPH produced widespread blowing and drifting snow, with localized blizzard conditions on Douglas Pass where winds gusted to 70 MPH.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 10:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 08:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totals ranged from 3 to 6 inches across the area. Gusty winds with peak speeds in the 30 to 45 mph range resulted in widespread blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 11:00:00 to 20-FEB-18 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 7 to 12 inches across the area and were very wind blown. Wind gusts of 25 to 45 mph produced widespread blowing and drifting snow.  Snow drifts 2 to 3 feet deep occurred on a snowmobile trail near McClure Pass.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 02:30:00 to 20-FEB-18 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches.  Locally higher amounts included 7.5 inches at Hayden and 8 inches at a location 33 miles north of Craig.  Wind gusts of 25 to 45 mph produced widespread blowing and drifting snow.  A peak gust of 62 MPH was measured at the Meeker Coulter Field Airport.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 19-FEB-18 12:30:00 to 20-FEB-18 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the area. Blowing snow occurred with the passage of a snow band Sunday evening with wind gusts of 30 to 40 MPH.