Alert archive / Colorado / Winter Storm Warnings in 2012

Winter Storm Warning 5, NWS Grand Junction, CO

February 21, 20126 counties in Colorado

NWS Grand Junction, CO issued this winter storm warning at Feb 21, 2012, 3:53 AM MST for 6 counties in Colorado. It was in force for 58 hr. 13 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Feb 21, 2012, 3:53 AM MST (10:53 UTC)
Expired
Feb 23, 2012, 2:00 PM MST
In force
58 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Junction, CO

Counties Eagle County, CO, Garfield County, CO, Moffat County, CO, Pitkin County, CO, Rio Blanco County, CO, Routt County, CO

The radar

The Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 21, 5:00 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 9Steamboat Springs, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL AT STEAMBOAT SKI AREA AS OF 5 AM.
Feb 21, 7:00 AM MSTSNOW 6.11 Se Steamboat Springs, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL WITH WATER EQUIVALENT OF 0.26 INCHES.
Feb 21, 7:25 PM MSTSNOW 81 Se Steamboat Springs, COSNOWFALL FROM 700 AM TO 725 PM
Feb 21, 10:25 PM MSTSNOW 101 Se Steamboat Springs, COSNOWFALL SINCE 7 AM...2 ADDITIONAL INCHES FROM 725 PM TO 1025 PM.
Feb 22, 4:44 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 11Vail, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL AT VAIL SKI AREA.
Feb 22, 5:33 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 12Steamboat Springs, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL AT STEAMBOAT SKI AREA AS OF 530 AM.
Feb 22, 6:00 AM MSTSNOW 61 Nw Clark, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL WITH LIQUID EQUIVALENT OF 0.55 INCHES.
Feb 22, 7:25 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 11.91 Se Steamboat Springs, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL WITH LIQUID EQUIVALENT OF 0.91 INCHES.
Feb 23, 4:48 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 12Vail, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL AMOUNT AT VAIL SKI AREA.
Feb 23, 5:24 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 0Vail, COI-70 EASTBOUND CLOSED AT MM180 NEAR VAIL DUE TO ADVERSE CONDITIONS. NO ESTIMATED REOPENING TIME
Feb 23, 5:33 AM MSTHEAVY SNOW 0Vail Pass, COI-70 EASTBOUND CLOSED FROM VAIL TO EISENHOWER TUNNEL...MM180 TO MM213. STARTED AT 533 AM. NO ESTIMATED REOPENING TIME.
Feb 23, 7:00 AM MSTSNOW 3.13 E Vail, CO24 HOUR SNOWFALL
Feb 23, 11:50 AM MSTSNOW 0Vail Pass, COI-70 EAST AND WEST BOUND LANES OVER VAIL PASS ARE OPEN. CHAINS REQUIRED ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES EASTBOUND FROM MM178 TO SUMMIT.AVALANCHE WORK COMPLETED WESTBOUD ON VAIL PASS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Grand Junction, CO (KGJT), launched 00:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 124 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2012-02-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Grand Junction, CO at 00:00Z on 2012-02-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 94 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1237 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
94 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
156 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

847 
WWUS45 KGJT 211053
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
353 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOWFALL FOR NORTHERN COLORADO...

.NORTHWESTERLY FLOW HAS SET UP OVER THE ADVISORY AREA THIS
EVENING AS MOISTURE MOVES IN FROM THE PACIFIC. THIS COMBINATION
OF FAVORABLE OROGRAPHIC LIFT AND MOISTURE WILL KEEP SNOWFALL
GOING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS...
FLATTOPS...AND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS ZONES ARE FAVORED IN THIS FLOW
AND WILL SEE SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS BEFORE TAPERING OFF TO
LIGHT SNOWFALL WEDNESDAY MORNING.

COZ004-005-013-211900-
/O.UPG.KGJT.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-120222T1900Z/
/O.NEW.KGJT.WS.W.0005.120221T1053Z-120222T1900Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
353 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL NOON MST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...PERIODS OF SNOW WILL OCCUR TODAY THOUGH SOME BREAKS IN
  SNOWFALL MAY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME BEFORE HEAVIER SNOW PICKS
  UP AGAIN THIS EVENING

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...12 TO 18 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST AT 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER
  HIGHER RIDGETOPS. WINDS IN THE VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT
  10 TO 15 MPH. 

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1 MILE OCCASIONALLY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE 
  IN HEAVIER SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$
10 follow-up statements
396 
WWUS45 KGJT 211854
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1154 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOWFALL FOR NORTHERN COLORADO...

.NORTHWESTERLY FLOW HAS SET UP OVER THE ADVISORY AREA THIS
EVENING AS MOISTURE MOVES IN FROM THE PACIFIC. THIS COMBINATION
OF FAVORABLE OROGRAPHIC LIFT AND MOISTURE WILL KEEP SNOWFALL
GOING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS...
FLATTOPS...AND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS ZONES ARE FAVORED IN THIS FLOW
AND WILL SEE SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS BEFORE TAPERING OFF TO
LIGHT SNOWFALL WEDNESDAY MORNING.

COZ004-005-013-220300-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120222T1900Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
1154 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST
WEDNESDAY...

* TIMING...PERIODS OF SNOW WILL OCCUR TODAY THOUGH SOME BREAKS 
  IN SNOWFALL MAY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME BEFORE HEAVIER SNOW 
  PICKS UP AGAIN THIS EVENING 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...12 TO 18 INCHES TOTAL OF NEW SNOW 

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WESTERLY WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS
  TO 35 MPH TODAY WILL BECOME NORTHWEST TONIGHT WITH GUSTS TO 50
  MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGETOPS. WINDS IN THE VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE
  WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1 MILE OCCASIONALLY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE 
  IN HEAVIER SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

TGJT
207 
WWUS45 KGJT 211950 CCA
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1249 PM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

CORRECTED WORDING IN THE OVERVIEW SECTION

...ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOWFALL FOR NORTHERN COLORADO...

.MOIST NORTHWESTERLY FLOW HAS SET UP OVER WESTERN COLORADO AND
WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT. THIS COMBINATION OF FAVORABLE
OROGRAPHIC LIFT AND MOISTURE WILL KEEP SNOWFALL GOING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS... FLATTOPS...AND
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AREAS ARE FAVORED IN THIS FLOW AND WILL SEE
SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS BEFORE TAPERING OFF TO LIGHT SNOWFALL
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

COZ004-005-013-220415-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120222T1900Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
1249 PM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST
WEDNESDAY...

* TIMING...PERIODS OF SNOW WILL OCCUR TODAY THOUGH SOME BREAKS 
  IN SNOWFALL MAY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME BEFORE HEAVIER SNOW 
  PICKS UP AGAIN THIS EVENING 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...12 TO 18 INCHES TOTAL OF NEW SNOW 

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WESTERLY WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS
  TO 35 MPH TODAY WILL BECOME NORTHWEST TONIGHT WITH GUSTS TO 50
  MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGETOPS. WINDS IN THE VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE
  WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1 MILE OCCASIONALLY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE 
  IN HEAVIER SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

TGJT
695 
WWUS45 KGJT 220104
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
604 PM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

.MOIST NORTHWESTERLY FLOW OVER NORTHWEST COLORADO WILL CONTINUE
TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW TO THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS...FLATTOPS...
AND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AREAS. THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES...
ESPECIALLY ALONG WEST FACING SLOPES. SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS
WILL OCCUR BY MIDDAY WEDNESDAY...BEFORE TAPERING OFF TO LIGHT
SNOWFALL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. ANOTHER STORM WILL MOVE INTO THE
REGION WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY...WITH ADDITIONAL HEAVY
SNOWFALL POSSIBLE.

COZ004-005-013-221200-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120222T1900Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
604 PM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST
WEDNESDAY...

* TIMING...PERIODS OF SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE
  THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 6 TO 12 INCHES
  TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 10 TO 20
  INCHES.

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND
  BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$
013 
WWUS45 KGJT 221112
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
412 AM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH 11 AM THURSDAY...

.A MOIST NORTHWESTERLY FLOW OVER NORTHWEST COLORADO WILL CONTINUE
TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW TO THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS...FLATTOPS...
AND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AREAS THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL BE
HEAVY AT TIMES... ESPECIALLY ALONG WEST FACING SLOPES. SIGNIFICANT
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR BY MIDDAY THURSDAY...BEFORE
TAPERING OFF TO LIGHT SNOWFALL THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

COZ004-005-013-221915-
/O.EXT.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
412 AM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THURSDAY...

* TIMING...LIGHTER SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TODAY...BUT
  SNOW HEAVY AT TIMES WILL REDEVELOP TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY
  MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 6 TO 12 INCHES
  TONIGHT AND THURSDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 20 TO 30 INCHES.

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND 
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$
104 
WWUS45 KGJT 221902
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1202 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

.A MOIST NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHWEST COLORADO. THE SNOW WILL BECOME 
HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AS A COLD FRONT
APPROACHES FROM THE NORTHWEST. BEHIND THE FRONT...SNOW WILL TAPER
OFF THURSDAY AFTERNOON AS COLD DRY AIR POURS INTO THE REGION.

COZ004-005-013-230315-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
1202 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY...

* TIMING...LIGHTER SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TODAY...BUT 
  SNOW HEAVY AT TIMES WILL REDEVELOP TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY 
  MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 6 TO 12 INCHES 
  TONIGHT AND THURSDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 20 TO 30 
  INCHES. 

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE 
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH. 

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND 
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ010-230315-
/O.NEW.KGJT.WW.Y.0016.120223T0100Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
1202 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
2 PM MST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 2 PM MST THURSDAY.

* TIMING...SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE THROUGH THE NIGHT AND BE 
           HEAVY AT TIMES THURSDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...4 TO 8 INCHES WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS
                      EXPECTED NEAR VAIL PASS.

* WINDS...WEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH TONIGHT INCREASING TO NORTHWEST
          15 TO 30 WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH THURSDAY MORNING.

* VISIBILITY...DOWN TO 1/2 MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

JOE
353 
WWUS45 KGJT 230233
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
733 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

.A MOIST NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHWEST COLORADO. THE SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AS A COLD
FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE NORTHWEST. BEHIND THE FRONT...SNOW WILL
TAPER OFF THURSDAY AFTERNOON AS COLD DRY AIR POURS INTO THE
REGION.

COZ004-005-013-231200-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
733 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST
THURSDAY...

* TIMING...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL REDEVELOP LATE TONIGHT AND
  CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 6 TO 12 INCHES
  TONIGHT AND THURSDAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 20 TO 30
  INCHES.

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE 
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH. 

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND 
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ010-231200-
/O.CON.KGJT.WW.Y.0016.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
733 PM MST WED FEB 22 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST
THURSDAY...

* TIMING...SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE THROUGH THE NIGHT AND BE HEAVY 
  AT TIMES THURSDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...4 TO 8 INCHES WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS 
  EXPECTED NEAR VAIL PASS. 

* WINDS...WEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH TONIGHT INCREASING TO 
  NORTHWEST 15 TO 30 WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH THURSDAY MORNING. 

* VISIBILITY...DOWN TO 1/2 MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$
169 
WWUS45 KGJT 231006
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
306 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH THIS MORNING...

.A MOIST NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHWEST COLORADO. THE SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES SOUTHWARD
THROUGH THE REGION THIS MORNING. BEHIND THE FRONT...SNOW WILL TAPER OFF
THIS AFTERNOON AS COLD DRY AIR POURS INTO THE REGION.

COZ004-005-013-231800-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
306 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

* TIMING...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 4 TO 7 INCHES BY NOON
  TODAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 20 TO 30 INCHES.

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE 
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH. 

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND 
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ010-231815-
/O.CON.KGJT.WW.Y.0016.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
306 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE THIS MORNING BECOMING HEAVY AT
  TIMES. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...4 TO 7 INCHES WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS
  EXPECTED NEAR VAIL PASS.

* WINDS...WEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH EARLY THIS MORNING...INCREASING
  TO NORTHWEST 15 TO 30 WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH BY 0900 AM.

* VISIBILITY...DOWN TO 1/2 MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$
814 
WWUS45 KGJT 231315
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
615 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH THIS MORNING...

.A MOIST NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHWEST COLORADO. THE SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVY AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES SOUTHWARD
THROUGH THE REGION THIS MORNING. BEHIND THE FRONT...SNOW WILL
TAPER OFF THIS AFTERNOON AS COLD DRY AIR POURS INTO THE REGION.

COZ010-232100-
/O.UPG.KGJT.WW.Y.0016.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
/O.EXB.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
615 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS...WHICH
IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON. THE WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...SNOWFALL WILL INCREASE THIS MORNING BECOMING HEAVY AT 
  TIMES. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...6 TO 10 INCHES WITH AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES IN
  THE MOUNTAINS AROUND VAIL AND VAIL PASS.

* WINDS...WEST WINDS 20 TO 40 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO 60 MPH
  OVER EXPOSED AREAS AND MOUNTAIN PASSES. 

* VISIBILITY...DOWN TO 1/2 MILE IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW. WHITEOUT
  CONDITIONS OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ004-005-013-231800-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
615 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS
MORNING...

* TIMING...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS 
  MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL OF 4 TO 7 INCHES BY 
  NOON TODAY WITH STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL FROM 20 TO 30 INCHES. 

* WINDS...OVER THE MOUNTAINS....WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 
  MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OVER HIGHER RIDGE TOPS. WINDS IN THE 
  VALLEYS WILL BE FROM THE WEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH. 

* VISIBILITY...LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW AND 
  BLOWING SNOW. 

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS WILL MAKE TRAVEL 
  DIFFICULT THROUGH THE PERIOD. BLOWING SNOW WILL ALSO DROP 
  VISIBILITIES MAKING TRAVEL EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ003-009-012-232100-
/O.NEW.KGJT.WW.Y.0017.120223T1315Z-120223T2100Z/
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RIO BLANCO...SKYWAY...CRESTED BUTTE...
TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE
615 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS...WHICH
IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...THROUGH 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED.

* WINDS...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 40 MPH WILL BE COMMON
  WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO 60 MPH OVER EXPOSED AREAS AND MOUNTAIN PASSES.

* VISIBILITY...POOR VISIBILITIES OF ONE HALF MILE OR LESS WILL BE
  FREQUENT THIS MORNING FROM BLOWING SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WILL BE DIFFICULT THIS
  MORNING...GRADUALLY IMPROVING THIS AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$
915 
WWUS45 KGJT 231811
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1111 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN
COLORADO THROUGH THIS MORNING...

.A MOIST NORTHWEST FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PERIODS OF SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN COLORADO THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL BE STRONGEST OVER THE CENTRAL DIVIDE
AREA BEHIND A COLD FRONT THAT PASSED THIS MORNING. THEREFORE POOR
VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW WILL MAKE TRAVEL TREACHEROUS. SNOW
WILL TAPER OFF THIS AFTERNOON AS COLD DRY AIR POURS INTO THE
REGION.

COZ004-005-013-231915-
/O.EXP.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T1800Z/
ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE
1111 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...

WHILE SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING...ONLY LIGHT
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE EXPECTED. 

$$

COZ003-009-231915-
/O.CAN.KGJT.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RIO BLANCO...SKYWAY
1111 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS CANCELLED THE
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY. 

WHILE SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS WILL REDEVELOP THIS
AFTERNOON...LITTLE TO NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE
EXPECTED. 

$$

COZ010-232100-
/O.CON.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
1111 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...SNOWFALL WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS AFTERNOON...ESPECIALLY
  ALONG THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ONE TO 3 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL
  BRINGING STORM TOTAL AMOUNTS UP TO 6 TO 10 INCHES WITH UP TO 15
  INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS AROUND VAIL AND VAIL PASS. DEEPER SNOW
  DRIFTS ARE EXPECTED. 

* WINDS...WEST WINDS 20 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH POSSIBLE
  OVER EXPOSED AREAS AND MOUNTAIN PASSES.

* VISIBILITY...DOWN TO 1/2 MILE AT TIMES IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.
  LOCAL WHITEOUT CONDITIONS OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADS...AND BLOWING SNOW WILL
  MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT INTO THE AFTERNOON. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

&&

$$

COZ012-232100-
/O.CON.KGJT.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CRESTED BUTTE...TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE
1111 AM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...THROUGH 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...ANOTHER 1 TO 2 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL CAN BE
  EXPECTED...BRINGING STORM TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS UP TO 3 TO 6
  INCHES...WITH LOCALLY DEEPER DRIFTS.

* WINDS...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 40 MPH WILL BE COMMON 
  WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO 60 MPH OVER EXPOSED AREAS AND 
  MOUNTAIN PASSES. 

* VISIBILITY...POOR VISIBILITIES OF ONE HALF MILE OR LESS WILL BE
  POSSIBLE FROM BLOWING SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WILL BE DIFFICULT INTO
  THIS AFTERNOON. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND/OR
BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$
655 
WWUS45 KGJT 232105
WSWGJT

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
205 PM MST THU FEB 23 2012

COZ010-232215-
/O.EXP.KGJT.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS
205 PM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

SNOW HAS DIMINISHED OVER THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON. WHILE
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING...SHOWERS WILL
GENERALLY BE LIGHT. LOCAL BLOWING SNOW MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE FOR A
TIME...BUT OVERALL CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED.

$$

COZ012-232215-
/O.EXP.KGJT.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-120223T2100Z/
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CRESTED BUTTE...TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE
205 PM MST THU FEB 23 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

SNOW HAS DIMINISHED OVER THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON. WHILE
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING...SHOWERS WILL
GENERALLY BE LIGHT. LOCAL BLOWING SNOW MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE FOR A
TIME...BUT OVERALL CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Feb 21, 3:33 AM MST, 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 21, 3:33 AM MST, 20 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
333 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

.UPDATE...
ISSUED AT 327 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

WEBCAMS AROUND STEAMBOAT SPRINGS STILL SHOW SNOW FALLING AROUND
TOWN WITH REPORTS OF 5 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOW SINCE ROUGHLY 11
PM. WILL GO AHEAD AND UPGRADE ALL ADVISORIES TO WARNINGS WITH THE
CAVEAT THAT THERE WILL BE SOME TIMES OF LGT TO EVEN NO SNOW WITH
POSSIBLY SOME SUN PEEKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS BEFORE THE NEXT
DISTURBANCE PUSHES THROUGH LATER IN THE AFTN FIRING OFF MORE
SNOW.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY)
ISSUED AT 308 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

IT HAS BEEN WELL ADVERTISED THAT AN INCREASINGLY MOIST WEST-
NORTHWEST FLOW WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY. THIS WILL ALLOW A
STRONG NORTHERN JET TO PULL A STEADY STREAM OF PACIFIC MOISTURE
INLAND ACROSS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND INTERMOUNTAIN WEST... AND
INTO NORTHERN COLORADO. THE AREA THAT WILL SEE THE MOST IMPACT
WILL BE THE NRN MTNS INCLUDING THE PARK/GORE AND FLATTOP MTNS AND
TO A LESSER DEGREE THE STEAMBOAT VALLEY. H7 WINDS WILL ALSO BE
INCREASING INTO THE 30-40KT RANGE WITH STRONGER GUSTS PROVIDING
GOOD FORCED OROGRAPHIC LIFT. RAN THE LOCAL SNOW MODEL WHICH
GENERATED NEAR WARNING CRITERIA SNOW AMOUNTS OVER ZNS 4 AND 13 WITH
LESSER AMOUNTS ELSEWHERE. BELIEVE THESE AMOUNTS ARE LIKELY
OVERDONE AS OVERALL DYNAMIC FORCING PRETTY WEAK EVEN AS THE JET
NOSES IN NRN CO TUESDAY NIGHT. FURTHERMORE...RELATIVELY STRONG
WARM ADVECTION WILL KEEP LAPSE RATES SOMEWHAT UNRESPONSIVE.

THE FIRST SURGE OF MOISTURE ACCOMPANIED BY WARM ADVECTION WAS
PRODUCING SOME LIGHT SNOW OVER THE NW PLATEAU EARLIER THIS MORNING
...WHICH THEN WORKED ITS WAY SOUTHWARD WHERE RIL AND MTJ PICKED
UP A TRACE OF SNOW. ALL OF THAT PRETTY MUCH OVER NOW. ON THE OTHER
HAND ZNS 4...5...AND 13 CONTINUE TO SNOW AND ARE CURRENTLY UNDER A
SNOW ADVISORY THROUGH NOON WEDNESDAY. THE NEXT AND STRONGER SURGE
OF MOISTURE AND WARM ADVECTION IS SEEN TONIGHT...AT THE SAME TIME
THE JET NOSES INTO NRN CO. TONIGHT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE PERIOD OF
THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL. LITTLE CHANGE IS SEEN WEDNESDAY EXCEPT H7
TEMPS WARM TO AROUND -4 TO -5 C ACROSS THE NORTH...WITH WARMER
READINGS TO THE SOUTH. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE RAIN OR
MIXED PHASE PCPN OVER THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF THE NW PLATEAU
INCLUDING CAG...EEO...AND HDN. THUS THE REASONING FOR NOT
INCLUDING THEM IN ANY WINTER HIGHLIGHTS. OTHERWISE THE MTN ZONES
WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SNOWFALL...TAPERING OFF AFTER NOON WEDNESDAY.

.LONG TERM...(WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY)
ISSUED AT 308 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

NWLY FLOW AND UPPER LEVEL JET SUPPORT CONTINUES AS DOES SNOW FOR
THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MOUNTAINS AT START OF LONG-TERM. ALMOST
NO CHANGE TO FORECAST THOUGH DID RAISE POPS SOME FOR FLATTOPS...ELKHEAD
MTNS AND PARK/GORE RANGES. AS WILL HAVE BEEN THE CASE THROUGH THE
WEEK...MORE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED BUT ACCUMULATIONS
WILL BE ON LOWSIDE TO START. THAT ALL CHANGES THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AS THE FINAL DISTURBANCE OF THE
SERIES PUSHES SWRD OVER THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. WHILE QG VERTICIAL
VELOCITIES ARE A BIT WEAK...THEY ARE THE STRONGEST SEEN ALL WEEK.
TEMPS WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE AS H7 TEMPS WILL DROP ALONG AND BEHIND
TROF KEEPING MTNS WELL INTO THE PREFFERED DENDRITIC GROWTH REGION.
THAT BEING SAID...MODELS SHOW A MODEST 4 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.
SO...A RELATIVELY QUICK SHOT OF SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED BEFORE RIDGING
BUILDS IN FRIDAY MORNING PUSHING THE JET TO THE NORTH AND EAST.

THE RIDGE WILL GET FLATTENED QUICKLY SATURDAY MORNING AS ANOTHER
SYSTEM DIGS DOWN OVER PAC NW FORCING ANOTHER TROF OVER CWA BY SAT
EVENING. THIS WILL BE A VERY QUICK MOVING SYSTEM THOUGH SO
SNOWFALL ACCUMULTATONS OVER THE MTNS SHOULD BE FAIRLY LIGHT. THE
MAIN ENERGY FOR THIS SYSTEM WILL EXIT THE CWA QUICKLY...BY SUN
MORNING...ALLOWING SOME UPSLOPE FLOW TO KEEP SNOWSHOWERS GOING
OVER FAVORED NW FACING TERRAIN. REMAINDER OF LONG-TERM WILL SEE A
TRANSITORY RIDGE BUILD IN OVER CWA BRINGING DRY WX AND CLEARING
SKIES.

&&

.AVIATION...(FOR THE 12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING)
ISSUED AT 308 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

A SERIES OF MOIST FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE
THROUGH NORTHEAST UTAH AND NORTHWEST COLORADO TODAY AND TONIGHT.
FAVORABLE OROGRAPHIC WINDS OFF 30 TO 40 KTS OUT OF THE WEST
NORTHWEST WILL RESULT IN AREAS OF SNOW OVER THE NRN MOUNTAINS AND
PLATEAUS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. EXPECT OCCASIONAL MVFR TO IFR
CIGS AND VSBYS NORTH AND EAST OF A LINE FROM KCAG TO KRIL TO KGUC.
ELSEWHERE...VFR CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST WITH LOCAL MTN OBSC. GUSTY
WINDS TO 50 KTS AND MECHANICAL TURBULENCE WILL BE WIDESPREAD
ACROSS THE CWA AS THE UPPER LEVEL JET SAGS INTO THE REGION.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CO...WINTER WEATHER WARNINGS UNTIL NOON MST WEDNESDAY FOR
     COZ004-005-013.

UT...NONE.

&&

UPDATE...TGR
SHORT TERM...MC
LONG TERM....TGR
AVIATION...MC
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 21, 2:39 AM MST, 1 hour 14 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
239 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-220945-
LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-
UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-GRAND VALLEY-DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-
CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN-GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN-
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-FLATTOPS-
UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE-
NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-
PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER-
FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-
SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-SOUTHEAST UTAH-EASTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS-
EASTERN UINTA BASIN-TAVAPUTS PLATEAU-ARCHES/GRAND FLAT-
LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS-CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES-
239 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN UTAH AND WESTERN
COLORADO.

.DAY ONE...TODAY

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE
NORTHWESTERN COLORADO MOUNTAINS FOR PERIODS OF SNOW...GUSTY WINDS
OVER HIGHER OR EXPOSED TERRAIN AND REDUCE VISIBILITY IN BLOWING
SNOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY

MOUNTAIN SNOW AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT
THROUGH NOON WEDNESDAY. THEN A STRONG AND UNSETTLED NORTHWEST FLOW
WILL PRODUCE ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN SNOWFALL OVER THE NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL MOUNTAINS THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 21, 3:36 AM MST, 17 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
336 AM MST TUE FEB 21 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0334 AM     SNOW             STEAMBOAT SPRINGS       40.48N 106.82W
02/21/2012  E6.0 INCH        ROUTT              CO   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED SNOWFALL SO FAR SINCE 11 PM. STILL SNOWING.

&&

EVENT NUMBER GJT1200151

MALEKSA

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Junction, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 20, 11:36 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryGJTEagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt4 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Colorado, 2012Every winter storm warning in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.