A prolonged atmospheric river event brought anomalously high moisture to the Western Slope as a series of Pacific systems lifted across the region. Heavy snow fell in the mountains resulting in hazardous holiday travel with blowing and drifting snow occurring as wind gusts exceeded 60 mph in the higher elevations. Mild southwest flow early in the event resulted in high snow levels before a cold front arrived later on. Moderate snowfall accumulations also occurred in some valleys.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 07:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 1 to 2 feet of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted from 45 to 65 mph.

Winter Storm in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 8 to 14 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Winter Storm in WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 18 to 36 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts of up to 50 inches estimated at the Schofield Pass SNOTEL site. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 07:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 12 to 22 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 55 mph.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 6 to 14 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 09:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 12 to 34 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 13:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

An estimated 30 inches of snow fell at the Columbine Pass SNOTEL site. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Winter Storm in GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 24 to 40 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 12:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Colorado Department of Transportation measured 18 inches of snow over Douglas Pass.

Winter Weather in LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 03:00:00 to 24-DEC-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 2 to 5 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 54 mph.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 8 to 12 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 35 mph.

Winter Weather in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 23-DEC-21 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts of up to 8 inches reported.

Winter Weather in UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 01:30:00 to 24-DEC-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 6 to 10 inches of snow fell across the area.

Winter Weather in DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 07:30:00 to 25-DEC-21 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

An average of 1 to 3 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts of up to 7 inches reported.

Winter Weather in CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 07:30:00 to 25-DEC-21 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the area.

Winter Weather in GRAND VALLEY, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A very wet 1 to 3 inches of snow fell on the east side of the Grand Valley with less than an inch on the west side.

Winter Weather in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 24-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the area.