Snow Squall Warning 7, NWS Grand Junction, CO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
951 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

.UPDATE...
Issued at 947 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

Impressive dry slot/PV intrusion showing up on water vapor across
the CWA this morning. One look at radar tells the whole
story...convective potential. This is leading to distinct banding
and when combined with wind is likely creating localized whiteout
conditions. However these bands are narrow and expect as a whole
snow forecast is overdone for many areas. Snow boards this morning
are fairly unimpressive but expect travel conditions over the
higher passes is not very pleasant. Will be watching the
approaching cold front moving over the Wasatch attm. Lightning has
been showing up with the passage of the front as the available CI
is released. This in turn has lead to increased snow squall
potential. So lots on the plate today. Stay tuned for more
updates.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(Today through Monday)
Issued at 439 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

Satellite imagery early this morning shows several areas of
scattered to broken low / mid clouds streaming in from the
southwest.  Radar returns have been steadily increasing the last 2
hours or so across eastern Utah / western Colorado.  Expect this
trend to continue as the current fast-moving disturbance spins
around the parent trough and moves through our region today.  As
previously mentioned, there'll be no lack of wind today as the 170+
knot jet streak moves overhead the southern CWA.  Winds will easily
push 50+ mph across the highest terrain...leading to instant
whiteout conditions.  Even well-protected valley floors will see
gusts approaching 40 mph with stronger gusts in exposed low
elevations.  Thus, any snow that does fall in low elevations during
the strong winds will contribute to reduced visibilities and
difficult travel. This morning, most of the low valleys will see
precipitation start out as rain, then transition to snow as colder
air moves in. Still looking at 5-10 inches in most mountain zones
with some of the high elevations approaching 15+ inches.  Kept the
status quo with highlights.

Temperatures remain near to just above normal today before lowering
to near to below normal to start the new week tomorrow.  Thanks to
increased cloud cover, lows will settle around 5-10 degrees above
normal.

.LONG TERM...(Monday night through Saturday)
Issued at 439 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

Height sigma charts on the storm track maps keep a deep trough in
place across Western NOAM until further notice. This means the wave
train will continue to impact much of the West as the northern
stream drifts southward through mid week. With the jet diving
farther south, colder air will be filtering into the CWA and below
normal temperatures will continue. Our northern CWA will be
especially hit hard with highs in the basins and valleys struggling
to hit the 20 degree mark in the afternoons. The next storm arrives
by Monday mid-day with another passing through Wednesday into
Thursday before we slowly dry out for a short spell. The storm at
the end of the week could be impressive with a mixture of southern
stream moisture and northern stream cold. Gonna be a busy weather
week with many details yet to be ironed out. The skiing will be
improved but the travel getting there may not.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Monday morning)
Issued at 439 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

A disturbance moving through the region will increase shower
coverage and intensity through the day today. Expect snow to be
the predominate precipitation type above 4-6K feet MSL. Strong
winds associated with this system will result in areas of blowing
snow and lowered visibilities at the surface with strong LLWS off
the deck. Anticipate MVFR/IFR to be common with areas of LIFR in
heavy snow and blowing snow. Winds should decrease after sunset
Sunday evening but still remain breezy at some locations as
showers move off to the east with lingering showers near the
divide.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CO...Wind Advisory until 4 PM MST this afternoon for COZ001-006-011-
     020.

     Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Monday for COZ004-009-010-
     012-013-019.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM MST Monday for COZ003-005-017-
     018.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM MST this evening for COZ002-
     008.

UT...Wind Advisory until 4 PM MST this afternoon for UTZ022-027-029.

     Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Monday for UTZ023.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM MST Monday for UTZ028.

&&

UPDATE...15
SHORT TERM...SS
LONG TERM...SS/15
AVIATION...SS

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
402 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-271115-
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-Flat Tops-
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-
402 AM MST Sun Dec 26 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western
Colorado.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Wind and snow increase today as a strong disturbance moves
through the area. This system will bring very strong winds and
considerable snowfall accumulations across the mountains. Wind
combined with snow will likely result in whiteout conditions for
travelers in the high country.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

A seemingly endless series of disturbances will move across the
region throughout the week ahead bringing continued snow chances
for much of the forecast area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected today or tonight, however
spotters are encouraged to report snowfall amounts to the
National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
828 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

0729 AM     SNOW             2 SSW TELLURIDE         37.91N 107.83W
12/26/2021  E6.0 INCH        SAN MIGUEL         CO   PUBLIC

            0.85 SWE SNOW DEPTH 40 IN.

0726 AM     SNOW             4 NNW MOUNT CRESTED BUT 38.96N 106.99W
12/26/2021  E1.0 INCH        GUNNISON           CO   PUBLIC

            0.11 SWE 39.5 SNOW DEPTH.

0701 AM     SNOW             2 SSW SNOWMASS VILLAGE  39.18N 106.95W
12/26/2021  E1.9 INCH        PITKIN             CO   PUBLIC

            0.13 SWE 51.4 IN. SNOW DEPTH.

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
936 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

0933 AM     SNOW             COAL BANK PASS          37.70N 107.78W
12/26/2021  E4.0 INCH        SAN JUAN           CO   PUBLIC

            SWE: 0.40 IN.

0932 AM     SNOW             MOLAS PASS              37.74N 107.70W
12/26/2021  E10.0 INCH       SAN JUAN           CO   PUBLIC

            SWE: 1.20 IN.

0931 AM     SNOW             RED MOUNTAIN PASS       37.90N 107.71W
12/26/2021  E2.0 INCH        OURAY              CO   PUBLIC

            SWE: 0.20 IN.

0903 AM     SNOW             1 SSW VERNAL            40.43N 109.55W
12/26/2021  E1.0 INCH        UINTAH             UT   PUBLIC

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1017 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

1000 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 W MANILA              40.99N 109.84W
12/26/2021  M46 MPH          DAGGETT            UT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION UT43W SR-43 AT MP 0.5 WEST
            STATELINE.

0959 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 9 WSW MACK              39.19N 109.04W
12/26/2021  M51 MPH          MESA               CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION CO089 070W001 UTAH STATE
            LINE.

0959 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 W DOUGLAS PASS        39.60N 108.82W
12/26/2021  M61 MPH          GARFIELD           CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION CO098 139S034 DOUGLAS PASS.

0959 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 SE CRESTED BUTTE      38.86N 106.97W
12/26/2021  M45 MPH          GUNNISON           CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION CO127 135N027 CRESTED BUTTE.

0959 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NE CAMEO              39.20N 108.27W
12/26/2021  M50 MPH          MESA               CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION CO118 070E051 BEAVER TAIL
            TUNNEL.

0949 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SSW EMMA              39.35N 107.09W
12/26/2021  M47 MPH          PITKIN             CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION CRWC2 THE CROWN, BASALT
            3WSW.

0948 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 41 NNE ELGIN            39.55N 109.91W
12/26/2021  M50 MPH          UINTAH             UT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION WHBU1 WILDHORSE.

0946 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SW GREAT DIVIDE       40.76N 107.85W
12/26/2021  M51 MPH          MOFFAT             CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION GDRC2 GREAT DIVIDE 2SW.

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1018 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

0927 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 57 NE ELGIN             39.47N 109.29W
12/26/2021  M47 MPH          UINTAH             UT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION UPRU1 UPR P.R. CANYON, MACK
            28NW.

0927 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 18 NE NAPLES            40.62N 109.24W
12/26/2021  M48 MPH          UINTAH             UT   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DIAU1 DIAMOND RIM, VERNAL
            19NE.

0923 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 18 SE MASSADONA         40.02N 108.40W
12/26/2021  M47 MPH          RIO BLANCO         CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION PIRC2 PINTO, MASSADONA 18SE.

0918 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 SSW RANGELY          39.92N 108.89W
12/26/2021  M53 MPH          RIO BLANCO         CO   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DRAC2 DRAGON ROAD.

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1038 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

1011 AM     SNOW             13 SW OLATHE            38.47N 108.16W
12/26/2021  E1.5 INCH        MONTROSE           CO   PUBLIC

            SWE: 0.15 IN.

&&

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1048 AM MST SUN DEC 26 2021

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

1041 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ESE CRAIG             40.50N 107.52W
12/26/2021  M60 MPH          MOFFAT             CO   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KCAG CRAIG-MOFFAT COUNTY
            AIRPORT.

1012 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ESE CRAIG             40.50N 107.52W
12/26/2021  M45 MPH          MOFFAT             CO   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KCAG CRAIG-MOFFAT COUNTY
            AIRPORT.

&&