The first weather disturbance in a strong atmospheric river event progressed through western Colorado and brought significant snowfall to the northern and central mountains. Mild temperatures out ahead of the system kept snow levels high with the bulk of accumulations above 9,000 feet.
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.
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.
The first weather disturbance in a strong atmospheric river event progressed through western Colorado and brought significant snowfall to the northern and central mountains. Mild temperatures out ahead of the system kept snow levels high with the bulk of accumulations above 9,000 feet.
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 Apr 5, 10:03 PM MST, 57 minutes earlier.
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Measured snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 8 inches across the area. Locally higher amounts included 11 inches reported at the Rabbit Ears Pass SNOTEL site.
Generally 4 to 8 inches of snow were measured across the area. Locally higher amounts included 10 inches at the Ripple Creek SNOTEL site.
Generally 3 to 5 inches of snow were measured across the area above 9,000 feet. Interstate 70 over Vail Pass was closed for a short period of time due to slick and snowpacked roads.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, April 2018
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: 738953, 738955, 738954.