A strong winter storm developed in the northern mountains as heavy snow coupled with very strong winds caused hazardous driving conditions. Most locations along and west of the Continental Divide received up to 10 inches of snowfall.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BOU wrote it up.
A strong winter storm developed in the northern mountains as heavy snow coupled with very strong winds caused hazardous driving conditions. Most locations along and west of the Continental Divide received up to 10 inches of snowfall. In addition, strong winds developed along and east of the divide as the storm system started to exit the region. West to northwest winds 30 to 50 mph with stronger gusts in excess of 60 mph (52 kts) caused whiteout conditions in blowing and drifting snow. A few of the higher mountain passes had to be closed until conditions improved.Snowfall totals included: 10 inches at Loveland Ski Area, 9 inches at Winter Park, with 8.5 inches at Berthoud Pass.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, February 1998
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: 5630711, 5630712.