A cold front associated with a strong Pacific storm system brought significant snowfall amounts to many areas in western Colorado, including some lower elevation locations which experienced their first significant snowfall of the season.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 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 GJT wrote it up.
A cold front associated with a strong Pacific storm system brought significant snowfall amounts to many areas in western Colorado, including some lower elevation locations which experienced their first significant snowfall of the season.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 20, 11:11 PM MST, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier.
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</html>Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service GRAND JUNCTION CO 457 AM MST Wed Dec 20 2017 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-211300- 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- 457 AM MST Wed Dec 20 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western Colorado. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Breezy and mild conditions can be expected today with a strong Pacific storm moving in tonight. This system will bring widespread snowfall to the region with moderate accumulations expected late tonight and through the day on Thursday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Snowfall will continue through Thursday afternoon, before ending Thursday night. Another fast moving storm will bring more snow and colder weather to the area Friday night and Saturday. .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.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
8 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall amounts of 4 to 9 inches were measured across the area.
Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches were measured across the area.
Snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches were measured across the area.
Snowfall amounts up to 6 inches were measured in the western portion of the zone, including Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The eastern portion of the zone only received about an inch or less of new snow.
Snowfall amounts of 3 to 8 inches were measured across the area, including 8 inches at Irwin Lodge.
Snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches were measured across the area.
Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were measured across the area.
Snowfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches were measured across the area, including 6 inches at Powderhorn Ski Area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, December 2017
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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 726284, 726285, 726280, 726282, 727883, 726281, 726283, 727868.