Colorado, 1998Winter Storm in Colorado, March 5 to 7, 1998
March 5 to 7, 1998 · NWS GJT · 10 events in 10 counties and zones
A Pacific trough generally produced 8 to 12 inches of snow in most mountain areas of western Colorado as well as 6 to 10 inches in some lower elevation areas of southwest Colorado. Heavier amounts included 23 inches at Purgatory Ski Area, 18 inches at Telluride Ski Area, 18 inches at Fish Creek just northwest of Rico, and 16 inches at McClure Pass.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 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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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 10
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.
A Pacific trough generally produced 8 to 12 inches of snow in most mountain areas of western Colorado as well as 6 to 10 inches in some lower elevation areas of southwest Colorado. Heavier amounts included 23 inches at Purgatory Ski Area, 18 inches at Telluride Ski Area, 18 inches at Fish Creek just northwest of Rico, and 16 inches at McClure Pass. Strong winds caused areas of blowing and drifting snow. Gusts of 50 to 65 MPH were reported in many mountain areas, while gusts of 40 to 50 MPH were observed at lower elevations.
Winter Storm, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River/Cortez and Vicinity
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Four Corners/Upper Dolores River/Cortez and Vicinity forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 37.698, -108.507 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Southwestern San Juan Mountains
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Southwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 37.594, -107.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Northwestern San Juan Mountains
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Northwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 38.210, -107.755 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Uncompahgre Plateau
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Uncompahgre Plateau forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 38.488, -108.155 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains/Taylor Park
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains/Taylor Park forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 38.643, -107.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Grand and Battlement Mesas
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Grand and Battlement Mesas forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 39.159, -108.078 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Elkhead and Park Mountains/Flat Tops/White River Plateau
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 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, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys/Aspen and Vicinity / Ne S Eagle / Pitkin Except Xnc / X Ne Mesa / Se Garfield (Part)
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys/Aspen and Vicinity / Ne S Eagle / Pitkin Except Xnc / X Ne Mesa / Se Garfield (Part) forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River / X Sw Mesa / W Montrose / C W San Miguel / C Dolores
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River / X Sw Mesa / W Montrose / C W San Miguel / C Dolores forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 38.294, -108.414 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Winter Storm, San Juan River Basin/Pagosa Springs and Vicinity / S Archuleta
- When
- March 5, 8:00 PM MST to March 7, 12:00 AM MST
- Where
- San Juan River Basin/Pagosa Springs and Vicinity / S Archuleta forecast zone
- Coordinates
- 37.194, -107.048 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
- 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.
- Winter Storm in Utah, March 5 to 7, 19988 injured · $100,000 · 19 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Louisiana, March 5, 1998$580,000 · 2.75 in hail · 5 events
- Hail and Lightning Strike in Mississippi, March 5, 1998$150,000 · 1.75 in hail · 6 events
- Hail in Mississippi, March 5, 1998$100,000 · 2.75 in hail · 1 event
- Damaging Wind in Alabama, March 5, 1998$70,000 · 1 event
- Lightning Strike in Arkansas, March 5, 19981 injured · 1 event
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Mississippi, March 5 to 6, 1998$2,000 · 1.5 in hail · 8 events
- Winter Storm in California, March 5 to 6, 19987 events
- Hail in Louisiana, March 5, 19981.75 in hail · 7 events
- Hail in Arkansas, March 5, 19980.88 in hail · 4 events
- Hail in Oklahoma, March 5, 19981.75 in hail · 3 events
- Winter Weather in California, March 5, 19982 events
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: 5638353, 5638354, 5638355, 5638356, 5638467, 5638468, 5638469, 5638470, 5638471, 5638472.