Colorado, 1997

Winter Storm in Colorado, March 3, 1997

March 3, 1997 · NWS GJT · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

An embedded disturbance in a brisk northwest flow aloft produced 4 to 8 inches of new snow in many northwest valleys and northern mountains of western Colorado. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting snow.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.

An embedded disturbance in a brisk northwest flow aloft produced 4 to 8 inches of new snow in many northwest valleys and northern mountains of western Colorado. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 MPH resulted in blowing and drifting snow.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Central Yampa River Basin/Craig-Hayden and Vicinity

When
March 3, 1:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where
Central Yampa River Basin/Craig-Hayden and Vicinity forecast zone
Coordinates
40.361, -107.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Elkhead and Park Mountains/Flat Tops/White River Plateau

When
March 3, 1:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where
Elkhead and Park Mountains/Flat Tops/White River Plateau forecast zone
Coordinates
40.552, -107.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Upper Yampa River Basin/Steamboat Springs and Vicinity

When
March 3, 1:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where
Upper Yampa River Basin/Steamboat Springs and Vicinity forecast zone
Coordinates
40.485, -106.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, March 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5593478, 5593479, 5593480.