Colorado, 2006

Winter Storm in Colorado, January 17 to 20, 2006

January 17 to 20, 2006 · NWS GJT · 6 events in 6 counties and zones

A vigorous upper level trough brought a prolonged period of snow to the mountains of western Colorado that resulted in 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulation. Blowing and drifting of snow occurred as strong winds gusted from 20 to 40 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 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
6

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.

A vigorous upper level trough brought a prolonged period of snow to the mountains of western Colorado that resulted in 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulation. Blowing and drifting of snow occurred as strong winds gusted from 20 to 40 mph. The highest wind gust recorded was 67 mph at the top of Telluride Ski Area.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
39.532, -108.196 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Elkhead and Park Mountains

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
Elkhead and Park Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
40.552, -107.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Flattop Mountains

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
Flattop Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
40.062, -107.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Northwestern San Juan Mountains

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
Northwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
38.210, -107.755 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains

When
January 17, 8:00 AM MST to January 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
38.643, -107.721 (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 2006Every state in 2006This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, January 2006

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5482234, 5482235, 5482236, 5482237, 5482238, 5482239.