A broad Pacific trough slowly moved inland across the western United States. Unsettled westerly flow out of this system, paired with a series of embedded disturbances, resulted in a prolonged period of moderate to heavy snow in the higher elevations. A strong cold front produced heavy snow bands, one of which sat over west-central Colorado for several hours. Winds gusted up to 55 mph in the mountains and up to 40 mph in the valleys. Bitterly cold temperatures moved into the region in the wake of the trough's passage on New Year's Day.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts of up to 12 inches measured east-southeast of Gypsum.

Winter Storm in ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 00:05:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 8 to 18 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts of up to 2 feet estimated at the Lost Dog SNOTEL site. Winds gusted up to 50 mph.

Winter Weather in GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 10 to 12 inches of snow fell across the area with 4 to 8 inches reported at elevations below 8000 feet. Winds gusted up to 50 mph.

Winter Storm in FLATTOP MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Generally 15 to 20 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 55 mph.

Winter Storm in UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 18 to 40 inches of snow fell on the southern end of the zone with 8 to 18 inches reported on the north side. Winds gusted up to 50 mph.

Winter Weather in NORTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Generally 5 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 50 mph.

Winter Weather in SOUTHWESTERN SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 10 to 19 inches of snow fell across the area.

Winter Weather in ANIMAS RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across the area.

Winter Weather in SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across the area.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 40 mph.

Winter Weather in PARADOX VALLEY / LOWER DOLORES RIVER BASIN, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Generally 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across the area. Winds gusted up to 35 mph.

Winter Weather in UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY, COLORADO
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Generally 3 to 9 inches of snow fell across the area with locally higher amounts near a foot estimated at Cerro Summit.